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How to Say "carry" in Spanish

English → Spanish

lleven

YEH-vehn/ˈʎe.βen/

verbA2
Use this when referring to the act of transporting or taking objects from one place to another, often implying a longer distance or general movement.
Two smiling children, a boy and a girl, are carrying a heavy, oversized red box together across a green field, illustrating the act of transporting objects.

Examples

Espero que los niños lleven sus libros a clase mañana.

I hope the children carry their books to class tomorrow.

Señores, lleven sus pasaportes siempre con ustedes.

Sirs/Madams, please carry your passports with you always. (Formal command)

Subjunctive Use (Hope/Wish)

'Lleven' is the form used when you express a wish, hope, or doubt about what 'they' or 'you (formal plural)' do, usually after words like 'quiero que' (I want that) or 'espero que' (I hope that).

Confusing Subjunctive and Indicative

Mistake: “Espero que ellos llevan la comida. (Using 'llevan', the regular present tense)”

Correction: Espero que ellos lleven la comida. ('Lleven' is needed because 'Espero que' triggers the special verb form.)

traiga

/TRY-gah//ˈtɾai̯.ɣa/

verbA2
Use this when the focus is on bringing an object to the speaker or to a specific location, implying movement towards the speaker's general vicinity.
A smiling child wearing a red shirt is carrying a large blue building block across a green lawn towards a house.

Examples

Quiero que usted traiga el postre mañana.

I want you (formal) to bring the dessert tomorrow.

Ojalá yo traiga el paraguas, está lloviendo.

I wish I had brought the umbrella, it's raining. (Literally: Hopefully I bring the umbrella)

Traiga su identificación, por favor.

Bring your ID, please. (Formal command)

A Special Verb Form

‘Traiga’ is the special verb form (present subjunctive) used after expressions of desire, doubt, or necessity (e.g., Es necesario que, Dudo que, Quiero que).

Formal Command

This form is also the formal way to give a command to one person (usted): 'Traiga el libro' (Bring the book).

Forgetting the 'g'

Mistake: “Quiero que yo traía mi coche.”

Correction: Quiero que yo traiga mi coche. The verb 'traer' is irregular and needs the 'g' in the subjunctive forms.

traigan

TRAY-gahn/ˈtrai̯.ɣan/

verbA2
Use this as a command or request directed at a group (ustedes or ellos), instructing them to bring something to the speaker or a specific location.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration showing three happy cartoon characters, one carrying a basket, one carrying a box, and one carrying a potted plant. They are all walking together toward the viewer, clearly delivering the items.

Examples

¡Por favor, señores, traigan los documentos firmados mañana!

Please, sirs, bring the signed documents tomorrow!

Quiero que mis amigos traigan un postre diferente.

I want my friends to bring a different dessert.

Espero que estos cambios traigan más felicidad a la empresa.

I hope these changes bring more happiness to the company.

Formal Group Command

'Traigan' is the command form used when speaking formally to a group of people (ustedes). It is a polite way to say, 'You all, bring!'

Wishes and Requirements

This form is also used after phrases that express wishing, requiring, or doubting for a group (ellos/ellas/ustedes), like 'Es necesario que ellos traigan...' (It is necessary that they bring...).

The Irregular 'G'

The infinitive 'traer' is irregular because it adds a 'g' in forms like 'traigo' (I bring). This 'g' carries over into 'traigan' and all other special verb forms (subjunctive).

Using the wrong form for a command

Mistake: “Using 'traen' (Ellos traen el agua.) when you mean to give an order.”

Correction: Use 'traigan' for commands or requests (¡Traigan el agua, por favor!). 'Traen' is only used for stating a fact ('They bring').

Bring vs. Carry Direction

Learners often confuse 'traer' (traiga/traigan) and 'llevar' (lleven). Remember that 'traer' implies movement towards the speaker or a destination, while 'llevar' implies movement away from the speaker or general transport.

Related Translations

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