Inklingo

How to Say "take away" in Spanish

English → Spanish

llevarme

lyeh-VAHR-meh/ʎeˈβar.me/

verbA2informal
Use 'llevarme' when you are taking an item with you, often for your own use or benefit, implying transport or acquisition.
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.

quitar

kee-TAHR/kiˈtaɾ/

verbB1
Use 'quitar' when the meaning is to remove, take away by force, confiscate, or subtract something from a person or place.
A large, authoritative hand reaching to take a small, tied sack (representing confiscated goods) from a wooden table.

Examples

El gobierno le quitó la tierra al campesino.

The government took the land away from the farmer.

Le quitaron el teléfono en el metro.

They stole his phone on the subway.

Esta enfermedad le ha quitado la alegría de vivir.

This illness has deprived him of the joy of living.

Using the 'Le'

When 'quitar' means 'to take something from someone,' you often need the indirect object pronoun ('le' or 'les') to indicate the person being deprived, as in: 'Le quitaron el dinero' (They took the money from him).

Llevarme vs. Quitar

Learners often confuse 'llevarme' and 'quitar' by using 'llevarme' when something is being forcibly removed or confiscated. Remember, 'llevarme' implies taking something *with* you (often for yourself), while 'quitar' means to remove *from* something or someone.

Related Translations

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