What it's NOT
cargo does NOT translate to cargo (puesto).
To say "cargo (puesto)" in English, use position / post.
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False cognate · False friend
cargo
Does NOT mean cargo (puesto)
It means freight / goods being transported
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
cargo means freight / goods being transported.
Why it's confused
Spanish "cargo" is a job position or a position of responsibility. English "cargo" is the freight carried by a ship, plane, or transport vehicle. The job sense and the transport sense don't overlap in English.
How it's pronounced
cargoCÁR-gou
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Examples of correct use
English
The ship carried cargo from China.
Spanish
El barco llevaba mercancía de China.
English
A cargo plane landed.
Spanish
Aterrizó un avión de carga.
A trick to remember it
Cargo = freight/goods. A job position (Spanish "cargo") = position/post.
Mini quiz
"A cargo ship" is a ship that carries...
Frequently asked questions
What does "cargo" mean in English?
"Cargo" means "freight / goods being transported". It looks a lot like "cargo", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "cargo" in English?
To say "cargo" in English, use "position / post". If you use "cargo" instead, you would actually be saying "freight / goods being transported".
Do "cargo" and "cargo" mean the same thing?
Spanish "cargo" is a job position or a position of responsibility. English "cargo" is the freight carried by a ship, plane, or transport vehicle. The job sense and the transport sense don't overlap in English.
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
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