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adjectiveverb

cargado

load

Que tiene mucho peso o muchas cosas encima.

Definition & meaning

The word cargado is a versatile adjective in Spanish that changes its specific nuance based on the context in which it is used:

  1. Loaded or Full: In its most literal sense, it describes something that is carrying a load, weight, or cargo. For example, a truck carrying goods or a tree weighed down by fruit.
  2. Strong or Intense: This is commonly used for food and drinks. A "café cargado" is a very strong or concentrated coffee. It can also refer to a scent that is very powerful.
  3. Charged: In the context of electronics, it refers to a battery or a device that has received an electrical charge.
  4. Stuffy or Oppressive: It describes an environment or atmosphere where the air feels heavy, thick, or lacks ventilation, often due to humidity or a crowd of people.
  5. Stiff or Overworked: In physical therapy or sports, it refers to muscles that feel tense, heavy, or fatigued due to excessive exercise.
  6. Loaded (Figurative): It can mean that something is filled with a specific intent, emotion, or characteristic, such as a speech "cargado de emoción" (loaded with emotion).

Grammar & Word origin

Cargado is the past participle of the verb cargar, which means to load, to carry, or to charge. Because it functions as an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes:

  • Cargado (masculine singular)
  • Cargada (feminine singular)
  • Cargados (masculine plural)
  • Cargadas (feminine plural)

The word originates from the Late Latin carricare, which stems from carrus (cart or wagon). This root highlights the original concept of placing items onto a vehicle for transport.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

  • lleno (full)
  • repleto (packed or stuffed)
  • fuerte (strong, when referring to intensity or coffee)
  • pesado (heavy)
  • agobiante (stifling or overwhelming, for atmosphere)

Antonyms

  • vacío (empty)
  • descargado (unloaded or uncharged)
  • ligero (light)
  • suave (mild or soft)
  • despejado (clear, for atmosphere)

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Examples

El cielo está cargado de nubes hoy.adjective

The sky is loaded with clouds today.

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