How to Say "carrying" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “carrying” is “llevando” — use 'llevando' when you are physically transporting an object from one place to another, like holding or moving it.
llevando
yeh-VAHN-dohʝeˈβando
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-dohkaɾˈɣan.do
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-dotɾaˈʝendo
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.
portador
por-ta-DORpoɾtaˈðoɾ
Examples
Existen mosquitos portadores de enfermedades peligrosas.
There are mosquitoes that carry dangerous diseases.
Un individuo portador puede transmitir el gen a sus hijos.
A carrier individual can pass the gene to their children.
Adjective Matching
Even though it ends in 'r', it changes to 'portadora' if the thing it describes is feminine (e.g., 'la mosca portadora').
Missing the 'of'
Mistake: “Saying 'portador el virus'.”
Correction: Always use 'de' after portador: 'portador del virus' (carrier of the virus).
Llevando vs. Cargando
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