Today we give you some tips to remember the correct usage of llevar and traer. Both of these Spanish verbs indicate the move of an object from one place to another. The main difference between them is the location of the speaker and the distance from the listener. We can generally say that llevar (to take) is used when the speaker moves an object from his location to a place far from him. While we use traer (to bring) to say that an object is moved towards the speaker. However, their difference is not that easy to distinguish as in some cases they can be synonims.
Let’s start from their basic usage:
Hoy voy a llevar la cubierta a lavar. (Today i’ll take the bed sheet to wash)
¿Me puede traer la cuenta, por favor? (Can you bring me the bill please?)
No doubts about that, right? Now let’s dive into the harder part. Since their difference is mainly based on the location of the speaker/listener, it’s possible to express the same meaning with on of the other verb. ¿Me puedes traer el libro a casa? / ¿Me puedes llevar el libro a casa? In this case they’re both right, what changes between the two questions is the situation, as in the first sentence the speaker is at home, in the second he’s outside.
There are some exceptions to their basic usage.
Llevar can also mean “to wear”: No me había dado cuenta de que estaba llevando las medias al revés.
It can also express duration: Llevo 5 días buscando un regalo para mi hermano.
And sometimes it also refers to the content of something: Este bocadillo lleva queso y el otro lleva jamón.
Remember that both of these Spanish verbs are transitive, for this reason, they always need an object or a pronoun. Lo trae/lleva; Traerlo/llevarlo, ¡llévalo! / ¡tráelo!
Well, that’s all for today, we hope you find it useful, see you soon!
