Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| fazer upload | /faˈze(ʁ) ˌupiˈlowd͡ʒ(i)/ (Brazil, word by word) |
| carregar | /ka.ʁeˈɡa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /ka.ʁeˈɡa(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
The phrase is used to describe the action of transferring digital data to a server or internet service. While fazer upload is a direct loanword from English, the verb carregar is also used to mean to upload, though it is more versatile and can also mean 'to load' in a general sense, such as loading a truck.
Which one should you use?
fazer upload is a common anglicism specifically used for digital data, whereas carregar is a more general and standard verb that can mean 'to load' or 'to upload' depending on the context.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
fazer upload is an informal way to describe digital transfers. For a more formal context, you may use the synonym enviar, which means 'to send'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazilian Portuguese, you will commonly hear uploadar or the phrase dar upload. In European Portuguese, the phrase fazer o upload is frequently heard.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/faˈze(ʁ) ˌupiˈlowdʒ(i)/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use baixar when you mean to upload, as baixar means 'to download'. Use carregar when you are sending data to a server.
Did you know?
- While carregar means 'to upload', it also means 'to charge' a battery. A Portuguese speaker might use the same word for both filling a phone with power and sending a file to a server.
- The verb carregar comes from the Latin carrus meaning 'wagon'. This links the modern act of uploading data to the ancient act of loading a cart.
- The word carregar is a linguistic opposite to baixar in the digital world. While baixar literally means 'to lower', carregar carries the sense of 'loading' or 'lifting' data up.
Examples in context
- É possível carregar imagens pré-programadas de pessoas comuns e, usando apenas os polegares no PDA, dar-lhes uma abdominoplastia, uma plástica ao nariz ou pele mais firme à volta dos olhos.You can upload pre-programmed images of ordinary people and, using just your thumbs on your PDA, give them a tummy tuck, a nose job, or tighter skin around their eyes.This sentence shows how to use carregar in the context of uploading images.Tatoeba #11017211 by Cangarejo, translation #11017210 by Cangarejo
- Por favor, carregue o documento na plataformaPlease, upload the document to the platform
- Por favor, envie o arquivo para o servidorPlease, upload the file to the server
- Upe a foto para o grupoUpload the photo to the group
- Manda o vídeo para o meu perfilUpload the video to my profile
- Carregue as fotos para a nuvem.Upload the photos to the cloud.
- Eu preciso fazer upload do arquivo agora.I need to upload the file now.
- Você conseguiu fazer upload das fotos?Did you manage to upload the photos?
Example conversation
Beatriz and Rodrigo are working together on a digital project.
- BeatrizRodrigo, você pode fazer upload desse documento para mim?Rodrigo, can you upload this document for me?
- RodrigoClaro, Beatriz. Vou fazer upload agora mesmo.Of course, Beatriz. I will upload it right now.
- BeatrizObrigada! Assim o cliente pode ver.Thank you! That way the client can see it.
- RodrigoDe nada. Já terminei de fazer upload.You're welcome. I've already finished uploading it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “upload” translations and entries carregar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (fazer, upload) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carregar, fazer, upload, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
