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How to Say "to carry" in Spanish

English → Spanish

llevar

/yeh-VAR//ʝeˈβaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'llevar' when you are physically holding or transporting an object with you, typically by hand or in a bag you are wearing.
A person walking away while carrying a large, wrapped gift box in their arms, illustrating the action of transporting an object.

Examples

Siempre llevo un paraguas en mi mochila.

I always carry an umbrella in my backpack.

¿Puedes llevar estos platos a la cocina, por favor?

Can you take these plates to the kitchen, please?

El cartero lleva un paquete para ti.

The mailman is carrying a package for you.

Llevar vs. Traer: The Classic Mix-up

Llevar means to take something away from where you are, like taking a gift to a party. Traer means to bring something to where you are, like bringing a dish to your own home for dinner. Think: 'llevar leaves, traer comes here'.

Using 'Llevar' for 'To Bring'

Mistake: “Voy a llevar la pizza a tu casa. (Said while you are already at the friend's house)”

Correction: Voy a traer la pizza a tu casa. (If someone is bringing it to your current location). Use 'llevar' only when you are taking something somewhere else.

cargar

/kar-GAR//kaɾˈɣaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'cargar' when the action involves loading something onto a larger object or when the item being carried is heavy or bulky.
A storybook illustration of a happy child carrying a large, colorful box in their arms.

Examples

Tengo que cargar estas cajas pesadas al camión.

I have to load these heavy boxes onto the truck.

Ella siempre carga con la responsabilidad de la casa.

She always bears the responsibility for the house.

El bebé quiere que su mamá lo cargue en brazos.

The baby wants his mother to carry him in her arms.

Spelling Change for Sound

In the simple past (preterite) 'yo' form and all forms of the present subjunctive, the 'g' changes to 'gu' (e.g., 'yo cargué', 'que yo cargue'). This is just to keep the hard 'g' sound consistent, otherwise it would sound like an 'h' (like 'car-HEH').

traer

/trah-er//tɾaˈeɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'traer' when you are bringing a person or item *to* the speaker's current location or a place of shared focus.
A child wearing a blue shirt and red shorts is smiling while carrying a small woven basket holding a bright red apple, walking directly toward the viewer.

Examples

¿Puedes traer la comida de la cocina?

Can you bring the food from the kitchen?

Siempre traigo mi libro favorito conmigo.

I always carry my favorite book with me.

Mi tío nos trajo un regalo de su viaje.

My uncle brought us a gift from his trip.

Irregular 'Yo' Form

The 'yo' form in the present tense is highly irregular: it is 'traigo,' not 'trao'. This is a common pattern for verbs ending in -aer, -eer, -uir.

Difference between Traer and Llevar

Use 'traer' when the movement is TOWARDS the place where you or the listener are (like 'come here with it'). Use 'llevar' when the movement is AWAY from you (like 'take it over there').

Confusing Preterite Forms

Mistake: “Yo traí por Yo traje”

Correction: The simple past (preterite) is 'traje' (I brought), which uses the irregular root 'traj-'. Remember this strong 'j' sound.

Llevar vs. Traer

The most common confusion is between 'llevar' and 'traer'. Remember that 'llevar' means to carry something away from the speaker, while 'traer' specifically means to bring something *towards* the speaker or a focal point.

Related Translations

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