cargador
/kaɾɡaˈdoɾ/masculine
The English word porter can be translated into Spanish as cargador. If unsure, use cargador. Wiktionary also lists changador and changarín.
Meaning: person who carries luggage (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cargador | /kaɾɡaˈdoɾ/ | masculine |
| changador | /t͡ʃanɡadoɾ/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| changarín | /t͡ʃanɡaɾin/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| faquín | /faˈkin/ | masculine |
| fardero | /faɾdeɾo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| porteador | /poɾteaˈdoɾ/ | masculine |
A porter is a person who carries luggage. While cargador is a way to describe this person, it also serves as a general term for any person or thing that loads or carries weight, such as someone loading a truck.
What does it mean word for word?
The word cargador is derived from the verb cargar, which means to load or to carry.
Which one should you use?
cargador can refer specifically to a porter, but it is also used more broadly for a loader or carrier of any weight.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
porteador is a more formal or technical term for a porter than cargador.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun cargador becomes the feminine cargadora when referring to a female porter.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaɾɡaˈdoɾ/
Did you know?
- The term cargador can also refer to an electrical charger in many modern Spanish-speaking countries.
- The word faquín is a linguistic wanderer, having been borrowed from the French word faquin.
- While cargador is the standard term, the word fardero specifically implies someone carrying 'fardos', which are large bundles or heavy packs.
Examples in context
- ¿Podría ayudarme el mozo con mi equipaje, por favor?Could the porter help me with my luggage, please?
- Necesito que el portero me ayude a llevar estas maletas a mi habitación.I need the porter to help me carry these suitcases to my room.
- Voy a pedirle a un cargador que me ayude a llevar mi equipaje.I'm going to ask a porter to help me carry my luggage.
- ¡Por favor! ¿Podría ayudarme, mozo?Please! Could you help me, porter?
- El cargador lleva las maletas al coche.The porter carries the suitcases to the car.
- El cargador es muy amable y rápido.The porter is very kind and fast.
Example conversation
At a hotel lobby after a long flight.
- JavierElena, ¿podemos llamar a un cargador?Elena, can we call a porter?
- ElenaSí, Javier, el cargador ya viene hacia aquí.Yes, Javier, the porter is already coming this way.
- JavierQué bueno, estas maletas pesan mucho.That's good, these suitcases are very heavy.
- ElenaÉl nos ayudará con todo el equipaje.He will help us with all the luggage.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “porter” translations and entries cargador, changarín, faquín, porteador, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cargador, faquín, CC BY-SA 4.0.
