Understanding the difference between the Spanish verbs traer and llevar, including their meanings, usage, examples, and tips for correct usage.
In Spanish, two common verbs for expressing the idea of moving something are traer and llevar. Both can mean “to bring” or “to carry,” but they are used from different points of view depending on the direction of movement relative to the speaker and listener.
- Traer means “to bring” something toward the place where the speaker or listener is.
- Llevar means “to take” or “carry” something away from the speaker’s current location to another place.
The key to using them correctly is understanding the direction of movement:
- Use traer when the action moves toward “here” (the speaker’s or listener’s location).
- Use llevar when the action moves “there” (away from the speaker’s current location).
Conjugations
Both traer and llevar are regular in most forms, except that traer is irregular in some tenses. Here are examples in present, preterite, imperfect, future, and subjunctive:
| Spanish Pronoun | Spanish Traer | English Traer | Spanish Llevar | English Llevar | Spanish Example (Traer) | English Example (Traer) | Spanish Example (Llevar) | English Example (Llevar) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | traigo | I bring | llevo | I take | Yo traigo el libro. | I bring the book. | Yo llevo el libro. | I take the book. |
| tú | traes | you bring | llevas | you take | Tú traes agua. | You bring water. | Tú llevas agua. | You take water. |
| él/ella | trae | he/she brings | lleva | he/she takes | Ella trae la comida. | She brings the food. | Ella lleva la comida. | She takes the food. |
| nosotros | traemos | we bring | llevamos | we take | Traemos regalos. | We bring gifts. | Llevamos regalos. | We take gifts. |
| vosotros | traéis | you (pl.) bring | lleváis | you (pl.) take | Traéis postres. | You bring desserts. | Lleváis postres. | You take desserts. |
| ellos/as | traen | they bring | llevan | they take | Traen flores. | They bring flowers. | Llevan flores. | They take flowers. |
Note: traer is irregular in the first person singular (“traigo”).
Yo ___ el libro. (traer)
Which of the following is the correct first person singular form of 'traer' in present tense?
traigo
'Traer' is irregular in the first person singular (yo) in the present tense. The correct form is 'traigo.'
Usage
The main difference is direction relative to the speaker:
| Usage | Verb | Explanation | Example (Spanish) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bring toward “here” | traer | Use when moving something toward the speaker or listener’s location. | ¿Puedes traerme el libro? | Can you bring me the book? |
| Take away “there” | llevar | Use when moving something away from the speaker’s current location. | Llevo los platos a la cocina. | I take the plates to the kitchen. |
Additional points:
- Llevar often implies carrying something from the current place to a different place, sometimes over a distance.
- Traer implies that the object or person is being moved closer to the speaker or the place of the listener.
- The choice depends on the point of view: if you’re focusing on “here,” use traer; if focusing on “there,” use llevar.
Examples
Traer (bring)
- Traigo mi mochila a clase. (I bring my backpack to class.)
- ¿Me traes un vaso de agua? (Can you bring me a glass of water?)
- Traemos comida para la fiesta. (We bring food for the party.)
Llevar (take/carry)
- Llevo a mi hermana al colegio. (I take my sister to school.)
- ¿Puedes llevar este paquete al correo? (Can you take this package to the post office?)
- Llevamos los juguetes al sótano. (We take the toys to the basement.)
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Explanation | Correct Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Llevar when traer* is needed | Using llevar even though the object is moving toward the speaker/listener. | Use traer when the object is coming “here.” | ¿Puedes llevarme el libro? ✅ ¿Puedes traerme el libro? |
| Traer when llevar* is needed | Using traer even though the object is being taken away from the speaker’s location. | Use llevar when the object is going “there.” | Llevo el regalo aquí. ✅ Llevo el regalo allá. |
| Confusing point of view | Not considering who is speaking and where the action is directed. | Think about the speaker’s location and the direction of movement. | — |
What mistake do learners often make with 'traer' and 'llevar'?
They confuse the direction of movement and use the wrong verb based on perspective.
The common error is not considering whether the object is moving 'here' or 'there.'
Tips for Learners
- Ask yourself: “Where is the action happening? Is the object moving toward me or away from me?”
- If the object is coming to “here” (the speaker/listener’s place), use traer.
- If the object is going “there” (another place away from the speaker), use llevar.
- When inviting someone to bring something to your location, use “trae…” or “tráeme…” (bring me…).
- When instructing someone to take something to a different place, use “lleva…” (take…).
Conclusion
Understanding traer vs. llevar is all about perspective and direction:
- Traer = bring toward “here”
- Llevar = take away “there”
Being mindful of the speaker’s location and the movement of the object will help you choose the correct verb naturally.
Last updated: Thu Jun 5, 2025
