Llevar and traer are two important Spanish verbs expressing opposite directions of movement related to giving, bringing, or taking.
- Llevar: to take, carry, deliver (from the speaker’s location to elsewhere)
- Traer: to bring (to the speaker’s location from elsewhere)
Each verb highlights a different point of view regarding the transfer of people or things.
**Llevar** expresses moving something away from the speaker, while **traer** expresses bringing something toward the speaker. They are opposites. (correct)
Core Difference
| Verb | Meaning | Direction | Example (English) | Example (Spanish) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Llevar | To take/carry | From here to there | I take the report to your office | Yo llevo el informe a tu oficina. |
| Traer | To bring | From there to here | She brings the drinks to the party | Ella trae las bebidas a la fiesta. |
Usage Notes
- Use llevar when you are moving something away from the speaker’s current (or implied) location.
- Use traer when you are moving something toward the speaker’s location or viewpoint.
Use **llevar** when the action moves something away from the speaker (correct). Use **traer** when the action moves something toward the speaker.
Example Sentences
| Llevar | Traer |
|---|---|
| Llevo a mis hijos al colegio cada día. | Traigo café cuando voy a tu oficina. |
| ¿Puedes llevar estos papeles al banco? | ¿Puedes traer los documentos aquí? |
| Ellos siempre llevan la basura afuera. | Ellos traen la comida cuando vienen. |
| Nosotros llevamos la compra a tu casa. | Nosotros traemos la compra cuando llegamos. |
You would use **llevar** because the movement is from the speaker's location to another (away).
You would use **traer** because the snacks are being brought to where the speaker is (toward).
You would use 'traer' because the movement of books is toward the speaker's location.
Conclusion
Llevar and traer are directional verbs: llevar moves things away, and traer moves things closer.
- Use llevar when transferring something from the speaker’s place to another place.
- Use traer when moving something toward the speaker’s location.