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How to Say "grab" in Spanish

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llevarme

lyeh-VAHR-meh/ʎeˈβar.me/

verbA2informal
Use 'llevarme' when you are asking someone to take something *for you* or *to a place* with them, implying possession or transport.
A colorful storybook illustration of a happy child holding a bright red balloon firmly in their hand, representing the action of taking or receiving an item.

Examples

No olvides llevarme un paraguas, va a llover.

Don't forget to take an umbrella (for me), it's going to rain.

Si hay comida sobrante, ¿puedo llevarme un poco a casa?

If there is leftover food, can I take some home (for myself)?

The 'For Myself' Action

When 'llevar' is used with 'me' in this sense, it means the action is done specifically for the speaker, emphasizing that I am taking possession of the item.

llévate

yeh-VAH-teh/ˈʎe.βa.te/

verb (command form)A2informal
Use 'llévate' as a command when telling someone to take something *with them*, implying they are the one carrying it away.
A simple storybook illustration of a cheerful figure walking away while carrying a small, colorful bag slung over their shoulder, symbolizing the act of taking an item with them.

Examples

El paraguas está lloviendo. ¡Llévate el paraguas!

It's raining. Take the umbrella with you!

Hay galletas, llévate unas cuantas para el camino.

There are cookies, grab a few for the road.

Si no lo quieres, llévate el resto a casa.

If you don't want it, take the rest home.

The Command Form (Imperative)

This word is a direct command to 'tú' (you, informal). The base command 'lleva' means 'carry/take,' and the attached 'te' means 'yourself' or 'for you,' emphasizing that the action benefits the person being told.

Adding the Accent

When you attach a pronoun like 'te' to an affirmative command, you must add an accent mark (tílde) to the original stressed syllable ('lle-va'). This keeps the stress in the same spot: 'llévate'.

Forgetting the Accent

Mistake: “Llevate”

Correction: Llévate. Without the accent, the stress shifts to the 'va' syllable, making it sound incorrect and confusing.

tomen

TOH-men/ˈtomen/

verbA1
Use 'tomen' when you are instructing a group of people to take possession of something, often in a more formal or general sense like 'take a seat'.
Two hands interacting, one offering a bright red apple and the other gently taking it.

Examples

¡Tomen un asiento y esperen al doctor!

Take a seat and wait for the doctor!

Espero que los niños tomen la decisión correcta.

I hope the children make (take) the correct decision.

El jefe necesita que ustedes tomen más responsabilidades.

The boss needs you (plural, formal) to take more responsibilities.

Formal Plural Command

This form is the polite way to give a command to a group of people ('ustedes'). Think of it as saying, 'You all, please take...'

The 'Wish' Form (Subjunctive)

When used after verbs of desire or doubt (like 'esperar que' or 'querer que'), 'tomen' expresses what you want or need them to do: 'Quiero que ellos tomen el libro.'

Mixing Command Forms

Mistake: “Using 'toman' (the normal present tense) for a command to 'ustedes'.”

Correction: The command form for 'ustedes' always changes the 'a' to 'e': use '¡Tomen!'

Llevarme vs. Llévate

The most common confusion is between 'llevarme' and 'llévate'. Remember that 'llevarme' implies taking something *for* or *to* someone else, while 'llévate' is a command to take something *with* oneself.

Related Translations

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