Tomar and llevar both translate to "to take" in English, but they are used in different contexts in Spanish.
Tomar — to take, consume, or grab
Tomar is used when you take something in a more general sense, including:
- Consuming food or drink
- Taking medicine
- Taking a mode of transportation
- Grabbing or picking something up
Examples of tomar:
- Tomar una manzana. (To take/eat an apple.)
- Tomar el autobús. (To take the bus.)
- Tomar una foto. (To take a photo.)
- Tomar medicina. (To take medicine.)
- Tomar el control. (To take control.)
Llevar — to carry, take someone/something somewhere
Llevar is used when you are carrying or transporting someone or something from one place to another.
- It implies movement away from the current location
- Often followed by a destination
Examples of llevar:
- Llevar los libros a la escuela. (To take the books to school.)
- Llevar a los niños al parque. (To take the children to the park.)
- ¿Puedes llevar mi bolso? (Can you carry my bag?)
- Llevar una carta al correo. (To take a letter to the post office.)
Key Differences
| Aspect | Tomar | Llevar |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | To take/consume/grab | To carry/take someone/something somewhere |
| Focus | Taking/consuming/grabbing | Transporting/carrying |
| Direction | No implied movement to another place | Implies movement away or to another place |
| Common Uses | food, drink, medicine, transport, abstract ideas | carrying objects, taking people or things to a place |
Usage Tips
- Use tomar for eating, drinking, taking medicine, or catching transport.
- Use llevar when you are moving something or someone to a different location.
- If you’re just grabbing or consuming something where you are, use tomar.
- If you’re transporting something or someone elsewhere, use llevar.
Summary:
- Tomar = take/consume/grab (general, no specific destination)
- Llevar = carry/take along (movement to another place)
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
