carico

/ˈka.ri.ko/noun · masculine / adjectiveB2

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Meaning · noun

load, loading, cargo

Il camion è arrivato con un carico di frutta.
The truck arrived with a load of fruit.

Il camion trasportava un carico di frutta.
The truck was carrying a load of fruit.

Il carico non è partito questa mattina.
The shipment didn't leave this morning.

Word forms (2)

Word	Word forms
carico	masculine · singular
carichi	masculine · plural

For physical goods, carico is broader than merce; merce means goods/merchandise, while carico often highlights the load being transported.
In logistics, un carico can mean one load or shipment. For formal shipping paperwork, spedizione is often more specific.
With battery/devices, use carica for the battery level; carico as a noun for electrical charge is technical and less common in everyday speech.

loaded, laden

Lo zaino è troppo carico oggi.
The backpack is too loaded today.

Hai il telefono ancora carico?
Is your phone still charged?

Ho lasciato il fucile carico in garage.
I left the rifle loaded in the garage.

Word forms (4)

Use carico for physical or figurative load; pieno usually means full, not burdened or loaded.
For emotional tension, colloquial Italian often says essere carico = pumped, motivated; context matters.
It agrees in gender and number: carico, carica, carichi, cariche.