recargar
/rekaɾˈɡaɾ/
The English phrase reload translates to Spanish as recargar. Wiktionary also lists actualizar.
Meaning: to refresh a copy of a program in memory or of a web page on screen (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| recargar | /rekaɾˈɡaɾ/ |
| actualizar | /aɡtwaliˈθaɾ/ /aɡtwaliˈsaɾ/ |
Use recargar to refer to refreshing a copy of a program in memory or a web page on a screen. It can also be used when referring to recharging a battery or a prepaid card.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb recargar is composed of the prefix re- (again) and cargar (to load).
Which one should you use?
While recargar specifically means to reload a page or a program, actualizar is often used in a technical context to mean 'to update' the content or the software itself.
How do you pronounce it?
/rekaɾˈɡaɾ/
Did you know?
- The term recargar can be used in a physical sense to describe leaning one's weight against something, such as recargar el brazo on a table.
- The verb actualizar comes from the word actual, which is a cognate of the English word 'actual'.
- The verb cargar used in recargar shares a common ancestor with the English word 'charge', which is why both languages use it for both physical loading and electrical energy.
Examples in context
- Por favor, vuelva a cargar el arma antes de continuar.Please reload the weapon before proceeding.
- Antes de disparar su arma, asegúrese de recargarla por completo.Before firing your weapon, make sure to reload it fully.
- ¡No olvides cargar de nuevo la pistola antes de ir a la galería de tiro!Don't forget to reload the gun before heading to the shooting range!
- Recarga la página.Reload the page.
- Tienes que recargar la página web.You have to reload the web page.
- Voy a recargar el navegador.I am going to reload the browser.
- El sistema necesita recargar los datos.The system needs to reload the data.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “reload” translations and entries recargar, actualizar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries actualizar, recargar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
