Two common German verbs, tragen and bringen, both involve moving something but differ in focus and usage. Tragen means to carry and relates to physically supporting or holding something, regardless of destination. Bringen means to bring and involves taking or delivering something to a specific person or place.
Tragen is about the act of carrying—holding, wearing, or supporting an object on your body. It doesn’t specify where you’re taking it, just that you’re bearing its weight.
Bringen implies moving something from one place to another, usually as a favor or task. It often involves a destination or recipient and is connected to the idea of delivering.
In summary:
- tragen = to carry (focus on supporting or holding the object)
- bringen = to bring (focus on moving/delivering the object to somewhere/someone)
Usage of Tragen
Tragen is used when you want to describe the physical act of carrying, wearing, or supporting something. It emphasizes the manner of carrying rather than the destination. It can be used for people carrying bags, wearing clothes, or even carrying loads.
Examples
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich trage eine schwere Tasche. | I’m carrying a heavy bag. |
| Sie trägt ein rotes Kleid. | She’s wearing a red dress. |
| Er trägt die Kisten in den Keller. | He carries the boxes to the basement. |
You can see that tragen describes the act of carrying or wearing, sometimes even when the direction is mentioned (like “in den Keller”), but the focus is on the carrying itself.
Usage of Bringen
Bringen is used when something is being taken or brought to a person or place. The emphasis is on the movement or delivery and the fact that the object is being brought somewhere or to someone, often as a favor or task.
Examples
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Kannst du mir bitte das Buch bringen? | Can you please bring me the book? |
| Ich bringe den Müll raus. | I’m taking out the trash. |
| Sie bringt den Kuchen zur Party. | She’s bringing the cake to the party. |
Here, bringen involves a clear direction and often an implied recipient or destination.
When should you use the verb bringen in German?
When focusing on moving or delivering something to a person or place, usually with a clear destination.
**bringen** is used for actions that involve taking something somewhere or to someone else—it's about movement toward a destination.
Summary
- Use tragen when focusing on the act of carrying, holding, or wearing something.
- Use bringen when focusing on moving or delivering something to a person or place.
Tragen = carry (physical support/holding)
Bringen = bring (movement/delivery to someone/somewhere)
Flashcards (1 of 6)
- English: I’m carrying a heavy bag.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
