llevando
/yeh-VAHN-doh/
carrying
When physically transporting an object, llevando means 'carrying'.
llevando(Verb)
carrying
?physically transporting something
,wearing
?having clothes or accessories on
bringing
?moving something towards a place
,taking
?transporting
📝 In Action
Ella está llevando una caja pesada.
A1She is carrying a heavy box.
¿Por qué estás llevando un abrigo si hace calor?
A1Why are you wearing a coat if it's hot?
💡 Grammar Points
The Continuous Action
The form 'llevando' is used with 'estar' (to be) to show an action happening right now: 'Estamos llevando los libros' (We are carrying the books right now).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Llevar' and 'Traer'
Mistake: "Using 'llevando' when you mean 'bringing' something towards the speaker."
Correction: 'Llevando' means taking something away or carrying it generally. Use 'trayendo' (bringing) if the item is moving toward the person speaking.
⭐ Usage Tips
Remembering the Meanings
Think of 'llevar' as covering three Ws: Wading (carrying), Wearing (clothing), and Way (taking to a destination).
When transporting a person or vehicle, llevando translates to 'taking'.
llevando(Verb)
taking
?transporting a person/vehicle
,leading
?guiding someone
driving
?operating a vehicle to transport someone
📝 In Action
Mi padre me está llevando al aeropuerto.
A2My father is taking me to the airport.
El GPS nos está llevando por una ruta más larga.
B1The GPS is leading us on a longer route.
💡 Grammar Points
Action to a Destination
When 'llevando' means taking someone somewhere, it usually needs the preposition 'a' (to) followed by the destination.
Llevando is used to mean 'managing' when referring to running a project or business.
llevando(Verb)
managing
?running a project or business
,handling
?dealing with a situation
running
?operating a company
📝 In Action
Ella está llevando la empresa a la quiebra.
B2She is running the company toward bankruptcy.
El equipo está llevando el proyecto con mucho éxito.
B1The team is handling the project very successfully.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
In this context, 'llevando' means managing or directing, often used when discussing how a process or responsibility is currently being handled.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Contexts
This meaning is often heard in reports, news, or professional settings when describing ongoing administration or leadership.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: llevando
Question 1 of 2
Which English sentence correctly translates the meaning of 'Mi jefa está llevando un negocio exitoso'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'llevando' different from 'trayendo'?
'Llevando' (from llevar) generally means 'taking' or 'carrying away' from the current location or speaker. 'Trayendo' (from traer) means 'bringing' or 'carrying toward' the current location or speaker.
Can I use 'llevando' to talk about how long something has been happening?
Yes, but you use the infinitive 'llevar' in the present tense, followed by the gerund 'llevando' is not typically used for duration. For example: 'Llevo dos horas esperando' (I have been waiting for two hours). You would not say 'Estoy llevando dos horas esperando.'