llevas
/yeh-vahs/
you carry
When you transport something physically, llevas (you carry) it.
llevas(Verb (Present Tense, tú form))
you carry
?transporting something physically
,you take
?moving something from one place to another
you bring
?if speaking from the destination
📝 In Action
¿Qué llevas en la mochila? Parece muy pesada.
A1What are you carrying in your backpack? It looks very heavy.
Siempre llevas demasiados libros a la biblioteca.
A2You always take too many books to the library.
💡 Grammar Points
Verb Type
"Llevas" is the form of the verb llevar (to carry/take) that you use when speaking directly to one person informally (tú).
Direction is Key
Unlike English 'bring' (coming toward the speaker) and 'take' (going away), llevar usually means 'to take something away' or 'to transport it.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using *llevas* for 'Bring'
Mistake: "Cuando vienes, ¿llevas el pastel? (When you come, do you take the cake?)"
Correction: Cuando vienes, ¿traes el pastel? (When you come, do you bring the cake?). Use *traer* when the item is coming toward the current location or speaker.
⭐ Usage Tips
Physical Objects
Think of llevar as movement or possession. If you are moving an object or having it on your person, llevar is the verb to use.
When you have clothes or accessories on your body, llevas (you wear) them.
📝 In Action
¿Llevas gafas de sol? Está muy soleado.
A1Are you wearing sunglasses? It's very sunny.
Qué bien llevas ese color; te queda genial.
A2That color looks great on you; it really suits you.
💡 Grammar Points
Wearing vs. Having
While English uses 'to wear,' Spanish uses llevar to mean you have the item on your body, just like you would 'carry' a bag.
When you manage or direct a situation or task, llevas (you handle) it.
llevas(Verb (Present Tense, tú form))
you handle
?managing a situation or task
,you deal with
?coping with difficulty
📝 In Action
¿Cómo llevas la presión del trabajo? ¿Estás bien?
B1How are you handling the work pressure? Are you okay?
Me contaron que llevas la contabilidad tú solo. ¡Qué valiente!
B2They told me you manage the accounting by yourself. How brave!
Used with the gerund, llevas (you have been) expresses how long an action has been ongoing.
📝 In Action
¿Cuánto tiempo llevas viviendo en Madrid?
B1How long have you been living in Madrid?
Llevas tres días enfermo. Debes ir al médico.
B1You have been sick for three days. You should go to the doctor.
💡 Grammar Points
Duration Structure
To express how long an action has been happening, Spanish uses llevar + a period of time + the action verb in the -ando/-iendo form (gerund). Example: 'Llevo dos horas estudiando' (I have been studying for two hours).
Contrast with *Hace*
You can also use 'Hace' to talk about duration, but the sentence structure is different. Llevas is often seen as more active and direct.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: llevas
Question 1 of 2
Which English phrase correctly translates the meaning of *llevas* in the sentence: '¿Cuánto tiempo llevas en la fila?'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'llevas' always informal?
Yes. 'Llevas' is the 'tú' (you, informal) form. If you were speaking formally to someone you would use 'lleva' (usted form).
How do I remember the difference between 'llevar' (to take/carry) and 'traer' (to bring)?
Think of *llevar* as movement away from the speaker or location ('to take'), and *traer* as movement toward the speaker or location ('to bring').