A comprehensive explanation of the French verbs porter and apporter, including their meanings, usage, and example sentences for understanding the difference between “to carry” and “to bring.”
Understanding the difference between porter and apporter is essential for expressing actions related to carrying or bringing objects in French. Porter means “to carry” or “to wear,” focusing on the action of holding or bearing something. Apporter means “to bring” something to a place or person, emphasizing the movement toward a destination.
Meanings and Usage
Porter: to carry, to wear, or to bear something. It describes the act of holding or supporting an object, regardless of direction.
Apporter: to bring something to a person or place. It implies carrying an object from one location to another, usually toward the speaker or a specified destination.
Examples
Here are some examples to illustrate the difference:
- Porter:
- Je porte un sac lourd. (I’m carrying a heavy bag.)
- Elle porte une robe rouge. (She’s wearing a red dress.)
- Il porte les livres à l’étage. (He’s carrying the books upstairs.)
- Apporter:
- Peux-tu apporter du pain ? (Can you bring some bread?)
- J’apporte mon ordinateur au bureau. (I’m bringing my computer to the office.)
- Elle a apporté des fleurs pour la maîtresse. (She brought flowers for the teacher.)
Il ___ les livres à l’étage.
Choose the correct verb: 'He’s ___ the books upstairs.'
porte
‘Porter’ is used for the action of carrying the books, regardless of the destination.
Summary
- Porter = carry (focus on holding or bearing an object)
- Apporter = bring (focus on moving something to a place or person)
- Use porter for the action of carrying or wearing
- Use apporter when bringing something to someone or somewhere
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
