Inklingo

How to Say "carrying" in Spanish

English → Spanish

llevando

yeh-VAHN-doh/ʝeˈβando/

VerbA1General
Use 'llevando' when you are physically holding and moving an object from one place to another.
A young person struggling slightly while carrying a large, brown cardboard box in their arms.

Examples

Ella está llevando una caja pesada.

She is carrying a heavy box.

¿Por qué estás llevando un abrigo si hace calor?

Why are you wearing a coat if it's hot?

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).

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.

cargando

kahr-GAHN-doh/kaɾˈɣan.do/

VerbB1General
Use 'cargando' when the action involves loading items, especially onto a vehicle or into a larger container, often implying a burden.
A stylized, happy traveler is struggling slightly while carrying two very large, heavy brown suitcases, one in each hand.

Examples

Están cargando las cajas en el camión.

They are loading the boxes onto the truck.

El burro iba cargando mucha leña.

The donkey was carrying a lot of firewood.

The Gerund as an Adverb

You can use 'cargando' to describe how an action is performed: 'El hombre caminaba cargando su mochila' (The man walked, carrying his backpack).

trayendo

/tra-YEN-do//tɾaˈʝendo/

VerbA2General
Use 'trayendo' when you are bringing something with you to a specific location or person.
A person walking toward the viewer while carrying a large, colorful gift box with a ribbon.

Examples

Estoy trayendo las bebidas a la mesa.

I am bringing the drinks to the table.

Él siempre viene trayendo buenas noticias.

He always comes bringing good news.

El viento está trayendo mucha lluvia.

The wind is bringing a lot of rain.

The 'Y' Rule

In Spanish, if the part of the verb that usually changes ends in a vowel, we use a 'y' instead of an 'i' for the -ing form to make it easier to pronounce. That is why it is 'trayendo' and not 'traiendo'.

Action in Progress

Use this word with the verb 'estar' (to be) to describe what someone is doing right at this moment.

Spelling with 'I'

Mistake: “traiendo”

Correction: trayendo. Always use the 'y' when the 'i' would be stuck between two vowels.

Bringing vs. Taking

Mistake: “Using 'trayendo' to mean taking something away.”

Correction: Use 'trayendo' only when the object is coming TOWARD the person speaking. Use 'llevando' for moving things away.

Llevando vs. Trayendo

The most common mistake is confusing 'llevando' (carrying away) with 'trayendo' (bringing here). Remember: 'Llevando' implies movement away from your current location, while 'trayendo' implies movement towards your location or the location of the person you're speaking to.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.