Traer and llevar are two common Spanish verbs that both involve moving something from one place to another, but they are used from different points of view.
How to Use Traer
Traer means "to bring" something toward the speaker's current location or toward the point of reference. Use traer when the action involves moving something from elsewhere to where you are or where the listener is.
Example:
- ¿Puedes traerme un vaso de agua? (Can you bring me a glass of water?)
- Traigo mi computadora a la oficina. (I bring my computer to the office.)
Complete the sentence: '___ mi computadora a la oficina.' (I bring my computer to the office.)
Traigo
'Traigo' is used because the speaker is bringing the computer toward a location related to them or the listener.
How to Use Llevar
Llevar means "to take" or "to carry" something away from the speaker's current location or away from the point of reference. Use llevar when moving something from where you are to another place.
Example:
- Llevo los libros a la biblioteca. (I take the books to the library.)
- ¿Puedes llevar este paquete al correo? (Can you take this package to the post office?)
Mnemonic:
- Traer = traer = traer hacia mí (bring toward me)
- Llevar = llevar = llevar lejos (take away)
Common Examples
Traer and llevar can sometimes describe the same movement but from different perspectives.
| Traer … a mí (or al lugar del hablante) | Llevar … a otro lugar (alejándose del hablante) |
|---|---|
| Trae la silla aquí. (Bring the chair here.) | Lleva la silla al salón. (Take the chair to the living room.) |
| Traje un regalo para ti. (I brought a gift for you.) | Llevo un regalo para María. (I'm taking a gift for María.) |
| ¿Me traes el menú? (Can you bring me the menu?) | Lleva el menú a la mesa cinco. (Take the menu to table five.) |
Changing the Reference Point in Traer and Llevar
The key to choosing traer or llevar is identifying where the action is directed relative to who is speaking or listening.
If the direction is toward the speaker's or listener’s location
Use traer. This applies even if you are asking someone else to bring something to you or to the place where the conversation is happening.
Example:
- Trae el cuaderno aquí. (Bring the notebook here — to where I am.)
If the direction is away from the speaker's or listener’s location
Use llevar. This means moving something away from the current location toward another place.
Example:
- Lleva los platos a la cocina. (Take the dishes to the kitchen — away from here.)
If changing who is speaking or where the point of reference moves
The same situation might use traer or llevar depending on the viewpoint.
Example at a party:
| Speaker A (at the party) | Speaker B (at home) |
|---|---|
| ¿Puedes traer más comida? (Bring more food here — to the party.) | Voy a llevar más comida. (I’ll take more food — from home to the party.) |
Even though it’s the same movement (food going to the party), the verbs change with the speaker’s location.
Tips for Usage
- If in doubt, ask: Where is the movement directed, and who is there? toward the speaker → traer; away from the speaker → llevar.
- Both verbs focus on the act of moving something by hand or carrying it, not just any verb for "go."
- You can also use llevar and traer with pronouns (lo, la, los, las) to avoid repeating nouns: Llévalo (Take it), Tráela (Bring her/it).
- Context is crucial in choosing the right verb.
When using pronouns with llevar and traer, what do forms like Llévalo and Tráela mean?
Take it and Bring her/it, respectively.
Pronouns attached to llevar/traer replace nouns to avoid repetition.
Examples in Context
| Situation | Example with Traer | Example with Llevar |
|---|---|---|
| Asking a friend at home to bring something to you | ¿Me puedes traer la revista? (Can you bring me the magazine?) | — |
| Telling a friend you will take something to a building | — | Llevaré la revista a la oficina. (I’ll take the magazine to the office.) |
| At a party, requesting more drinks at the location | ¿Me traes otro vaso? (Bring me another glass.) | — |
| Leaving the party and taking your jacket with you | — | Llevo mi chaqueta. (I’m taking my jacket [away].) |
Quick Summary
- Traer = bring toward the speaker/listener’s place.
- Llevar = take/carry away from the speaker/listener’s place.
- Imagine the viewpoint: Who is "here," and where does the object move?
- Use context and questions about direction to choose correctly.
By remembering these points, you can confidently choose between traer and llevar in your Spanish conversations.
Apart from direction, what else should you use to choose the correct verb?
Context and perspective.
The situation and who's speaking guide the verb choice between traer and llevar.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
