llegar vs. llevar

Arriving 'at' a place

This one form works for three different subjects: 'él' (he), 'ella' (she), and 'usted' (the formal 'you'). You know who is arriving based on the conversation.

Who is 'llega'?

The verb 'llegar' is regular except for a small spelling change to keep the 'g' sound. In the past tense, 'yo llegué' uses 'gu' to keep the hard 'g' sound. The same happens in the present subjunctive ('llegue', 'llegues', etc.).

Spelling Change Alert!

You can use 'llegar a ser' to say someone 'becomes' something, often after a lot of effort. For example, 'Él llega a ser el director de la empresa' (He becomes the company director).

Becoming Something Over Time

Extremely common. One of the first verbs you'll learn and use daily.

This form, 'llega', is the command you give to a friend, family member, or someone you would call 'tú'. It's the same spelling as the 'he/she arrives' form, so context is key!

A Command for 'tú'

How do you know if 'llega' is a statement or a command? Look for exclamation points or a commanding tone. If it's a question like '¿Cuándo llega?', it's a statement. If it's an order like '¡Llega ahora!', it's a command.

Spotting the Difference

Commonly used in informal situations when giving instructions or telling a friend to do something.

This meaning is often paired with words like 'me', 'te', 'le' to show who is affected. 'No me llega el dinero' literally means 'The money doesn't arrive/reach to me'.

Using with 'me', 'te', 'le'

A good way to remember this meaning is to think of the word 'reach'. If the money can't 'reach' the end of the month, or a skirt 'reaches' your knees, you can use 'llegar'.

Think 'Reach'

A common figurative use of the verb, often used when talking about money, resources, or physical reach.

Comprehensive guide to the Spanish word 'llega'. Learn its meanings as 'he/she arrives', the command 'arrive!', and 'to be enough'. Includes full conjugation tables for 'llegar', examples, and common mistakes.

llega

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations