Porter and apporter are two common French verbs that both involve the idea of carrying or bringing something, but they are used in different contexts. Porter means “to carry” or “to wear” and focuses on the action of bearing the object, regardless of destination. Apporter means “to bring” something to a specific place or person, emphasizing the idea of delivering or taking something along to somewhere. The key difference is that apporter implies movement toward a particular place, while porter simply describes the act of carrying.
Here’s how to distinguish them:
- Porter = to carry/bear/wear (focus on the act of carrying)
- Apporter = to bring (focus on bringing something to a specific place or person)
When to Use Porter
Use porter when you are simply talking about carrying, bearing, or wearing something. There is no implication about where you are taking it—it’s just about the fact that the object is being carried.
- carrying something with your hands or on your body
- wearing clothing or accessories
- bearing a heavy load
Examples
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Je porte un sac lourd. | I’m carrying a heavy bag. |
| Elle porte une robe rouge. | She is wearing a red dress. |
| Ils portent les valises. | They are carrying the suitcases. |
Note: Porter can also mean to wear (clothes, glasses, accessories) — something you cannot do with apporter.
When to Use Apporter
Use apporter when you bring something to a person or place. The key idea is bringing something along to a specific destination where it’s needed or expected. The destination can be explicit or implied, but it’s always about movement toward somewhere.
- bringing something to a friend’s house
- bringing food to a party
- bringing documents to a meeting
Examples
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Apporte-moi ton cahier, s’il te plaît. | Bring me your notebook, please. |
| Elle apporte un gâteau à la fête. | She is bringing a cake to the party. |
| Nous apportons des boissons au pique-nique. | We’re bringing drinks to the picnic. |
Note: Use the preposition à + person/place to specify where or to whom the object is being brought (e.g., apporter un cadeau à Marie).
Common Confusions and Tips
- Porter = carrying/wearing (focus on the act of bearing)
- Apporter = bringing to a place/person (focus on delivering)
- Neither porter nor apporter specify the mode of transport—just the carrying/bringing action.
- For “take” (carrying something away from the current location), use emmener (for people) or emporter (for things), not porter or apporter.
- Don't confuse amener (to bring a person) with apporter (to bring a thing).
If you are taking something away from the current location, which pair of verbs should you consider?
emmener (for people) or emporter (for things)
Use 'emmener' for people and 'emporter' for things when taking something away from the current location.
Which verb means 'to bring something to a specific place or person'?
apporter
'Apporter' is used when bringing an object to a particular destination or person.
Summary
| Verb | Meaning | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| porter | to carry, to bear, to wear | Focus on the act of carrying or wearing; no destination implied | Je porte mon sac. (I am carrying my bag.) |
| apporter | to bring (something) | Focus on bringing an object to a specific person or place | Apporte le livre à Paul. (Bring the book to Paul.) |
Remember: Use porter for carrying/wearing, apporter for bringing something along to somewhere.
Flashcards (1 of 6)
- English: I’m carrying a heavy bag.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
