llevo
/YEH-voh/
I carry
When used to mean I carry or I take (Llevo), the word refers to transporting an object or person.
llevo(Verb)
I carry
?holding something while moving
,I take
?transporting someone or something to a place
I bring
?when taking something to a host's location
📝 In Action
Siempre llevo mi botella de agua conmigo.
A1I always carry my water bottle with me.
Te llevo al aeropuerto mañana por la mañana.
A1I'll take you to the airport tomorrow morning.
Llevo el postre a la cena de esta noche.
A2I'm bringing the dessert to the dinner tonight.
💡 Grammar Points
Llevar vs. Traer
'Llevo' is for taking something away from where you are now. 'Traigo' (from 'traer') is for bringing something to where you are now. Think of it as 'go-take' (llevar) vs. 'come-bring' (traer).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using for 'bring'
Mistake: "Voy a la fiesta y llevo mis amigos."
Correction: This is often okay, but if you want to be precise about bringing them *to* the speaker, you might use 'traer'. 'Llevar' implies movement away from your starting point.
⭐ Usage Tips
Taking People
You can use 'llevo' for people just like objects. 'Llevo a mi hijo a la escuela' means 'I take my son to school'.
I wear (Llevo) a hat. This form of llevo describes the clothing or accessories you have on.
llevo(Verb)
I wear
?having clothes or accessories on your body
,I am wearing
?describing what you have on right now
I have
?used for hairstyles or features like a beard
📝 In Action
Hoy llevo una camiseta verde y vaqueros.
A1Today I'm wearing a green t-shirt and jeans.
No llevo reloj, ¿qué hora es?
A1I'm not wearing a watch, what time is it?
Llevo el pelo corto desde el verano.
A2I've had short hair since the summer.
💡 Grammar Points
Simple Present for 'Right Now'
In English, you say 'I am wearing'. In Spanish, you can just use the simple present: 'Llevo una chaqueta' works perfectly for what you have on at this moment.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing with 'Ponerse'
Mistake: "Me llevo una chaqueta para salir."
Correction: Use 'Me pongo una chaqueta' for the action of *putting on* the jacket. 'Llevo una chaqueta' describes the state of *already wearing* it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Beyond Clothes
This works for anything on your body: 'llevo maquillaje' (I'm wearing makeup), 'llevo perfume' (I'm wearing perfume), 'llevo barba' (I have a beard).
I have been (Llevo) studying for a long time. This use of llevo indicates the duration of an ongoing action.
📝 In Action
Llevo tres años estudiando español.
A2I have been studying Spanish for three years.
Llevo mucho tiempo sin verte.
B1I haven't seen you for a long time.
¿Cuánto tiempo llevas esperando?
A2How long have you been waiting?
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Time + Doing' Formula
This structure is super useful: LLEVAR + [amount of time] + [verb ending in -ando/-iendo]. It's the most natural way to say how long you've been doing something.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use it for 'Not Doing' too
You can also use it for things you haven't done. The structure is: LLEVAR + [time] + 'sin' + [base verb]. For example: 'Llevo dos días sin dormir bien' (I haven't slept well for two days).
I lead or I manage (Llevo). This meaning refers to directing or being in charge of something, like a task or a life.
llevo(Verb)
I lead
?describing a way of life
,I manage
?being in charge of something
I handle
?being responsible for a task
📝 In Action
Llevo una vida muy tranquila en el campo.
B1I lead a very quiet life in the countryside.
Yo llevo la contabilidad de la pequeña empresa de mi familia.
B1I handle the accounting for my family's small business.
Le llevo veinte euros a mi hermano.
B2My brother is twenty euros ahead of me. (I am ahead of my brother by 20 euros - in a game/bet)
⭐ Usage Tips
Age Differences
You can use 'llevo' to talk about an age gap. 'Le llevo dos años a mi hermana' means 'I am two years older than my sister'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: llevo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'llevo' to talk about how long something has been happening?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'llevar' and 'traer'?
Think about direction! 'Llevar' is about taking something *away* from your current location to somewhere else (like 'go and take'). 'Traer' is about bringing something *to* your current location (like 'come and bring'). If you're at home and going to a party, you say 'Llevo el vino a la fiesta'. If you're already at the party and your friend arrives, they say 'Traje el vino'.
How is 'llevarse' different from 'llevar'?
Adding 'se' makes the verb reflexive and often changes the meaning. 'Llevarse algo' can mean 'to take something away with you' (often without permission, like stealing). 'Llevarse bien/mal con alguien' is a very common phrase that means 'to get along well/badly with someone'. So, 'Llevo a mi hermano' means 'I take my brother', but 'Me llevo bien con mi hermano' means 'I get along well with my brother'.