presentar cargos
/pɾesentaɾ kaɾɡos/from spelling rules
To press charges in Spanish is presentar cargos.
The phrase presentar cargos is used to formally accuse a person of a crime. If you wish to describe the specific act of filing a formal report or complaint with the police, it is more common to use presentar una denuncia. For a single-word alternative when reporting a crime to authorities, you can use the verb denunciar.
Meaning: to formally accuse a person of a crime (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb presentar (to present/submit) and the noun cargos (charges/accusations).
Which one should you use?
Presentar cargos specifically means to present charges against someone, whereas interponer denuncia is a formal way to express lodging a complaint or submitting a formal accusation. Additionally, presentar una denuncia is the preferred way to describe the process of filing a formal report.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase poner una denuncia is commonly used to express the act of pressing charges.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that someone pressed charges in the past tense, change the infinitive presentar to the third-person singular preterite form: presentó cargos.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾesentaɾ kaɾɡos/
Did you know?
- The word cargo in presentar cargos shares a root with the English word 'cargo', as both derive from the idea of a 'load' or 'burden' placed upon someone.
- Because denunciar can also mean 'to denounce' or 'to expose' in a political or social sense, using it for a crime can sometimes carry a weight of public scandal.
- Unlike English where one might 'drop the charges', Spanish speakers often use retirar la denuncia which literally means 'to withdraw the report'.
Examples in context
- Quiero presentar cargos contra el ladrón.I want to press charges against the thief.
- Decidió poner una denuncia por difamación.He decided to press charges for defamation.
- Ella decidió presentar cargos contra el ladrón.She decided to press charges against the thief.
- El testigo no quiere presentar cargos todavía.The witness does not want to press charges yet.
- Vas a presentar cargos por el fraude.You are going to press charges for the fraud.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are discussing a robbery at a local shop.
- Lucía¿Vas a presentar cargos contra él, Daniel?Are you going to press charges against him, Daniel?
- DanielSí, Lucía, voy a hablar con la policía.Yes, Lucía, I am going to talk to the police.
- LucíaEs lo mejor para que haya justicia.It is best so that there is justice.
- DanielTienes razón, no puedo dejarlo pasar.You are right, I cannot let it slide.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
