Inklingo

How to Say "to carry" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to carry” is “llevar” — use 'llevar' when you are personally transporting an object, typically by hand or on your person.

llevar🔊A1

Use 'llevar' when you are personally transporting an object, typically by hand or on your person.

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cargar🔊A1

Use 'cargar' when you are loading something onto another object, like a vehicle, or when you are carrying a heavy burden.

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traer🔊A1

Use 'traer' when bringing a person or object *to* the speaker or a specified location.

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transportar🔊A2

Use 'transportar' when referring to the movement of goods or people, usually by a vehicle, system, or company.

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acarrear🔊B2

Use 'acarrear' for the act of hauling or moving large quantities of materials, often implying a continuous or laborious process.

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portar🔊B2

Use 'portar' specifically when carrying official items like identification, documents, weapons, or symbols, often implying authorization.

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English → Spanish

llevar

yeh-VARʝeˈβaɾ

verbA1
Use 'llevar' when you are personally transporting an object, typically by hand or on your person.
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-GARkaɾˈɣaɾ

verbA1
Use 'cargar' when you are loading something onto another object, like a vehicle, or when you are carrying a heavy burden.
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-ertɾaˈeɾ

verbA1
Use 'traer' when bringing a person or object *to* the speaker or a specified location.
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.

transportar

trahns-por-TARtɾansporˈtar

verbA2
Use 'transportar' when referring to the movement of goods or people, usually by a vehicle, system, or company.
A large colorful truck driving down a road carrying boxes.

Examples

El camión transporta la fruta al mercado cada mañana.

The truck transports the fruit to the market every morning.

Necesitamos un barco más grande para transportar todos estos contenedores.

We need a bigger ship to transport all these containers.

Es difícil transportar a tanta gente en un solo autobús.

It is difficult to transport so many people in a single bus.

Adding 'A' for People

When you are transporting people (the ones receiving the action), you must put 'a' before them. Example: 'Transportar a los niños'.

Using it with Vehicles

Use the word 'en' to say what you are using to transport something. Example: 'Transportar en tren'.

Using 'Mover' incorrectly

Mistake: “Mover los productos a la tienda.”

Correction: Transportar los productos a la tienda.

acarrear

ah-kah-rreh-ahraka.reˈaɾ

verbB2
Use 'acarrear' for the act of hauling or moving large quantities of materials, often implying a continuous or laborious process.
A sturdy wooden cart overflowing with heavy sacks of grain.

Examples

Los camiones pasan el día acarreando arena a la obra.

The trucks spend the day hauling sand to the construction site.

Antiguamente, tenían que acarrear el agua desde el pozo.

In the old days, they had to haul the water from the well.

Necesitamos a alguien para acarrear estos bultos.

We need someone to carry these bundles.

Connection to 'Carro'

The word comes from 'carro' (cart), so it literally describes moving something using a vehicle or a heavy-duty method.

Hauling vs. Carrying by hand

Mistake: “Acarreé mi teléfono a la cocina.”

Correction: Llevé mi teléfono. Use 'acarrear' for bulky, heavy items or large quantities.

portar

por-TARpoɾˈtaɾ

verbB2formal
Use 'portar' specifically when carrying official items like identification, documents, weapons, or symbols, often implying authorization.
A person in a uniform carrying a large, rolled-up decorative banner.

Examples

Es obligatorio portar el carné de identidad.

It is mandatory to carry your ID card.

El sospechoso portaba un arma de fuego.

The suspect was carrying a firearm.

Los diplomáticos portaban sus mejores galas.

The diplomats were wearing their finest clothes.

Portar vs. Llevar

'Llevar' is the everyday word for carrying. 'Portar' is formal and usually refers to items that signify authority or legal status (like a badge or a gun).

Using it for Groceries

Mistake: “Porto las bolsas del súper.”

Correction: Llevo las bolsas del súper. 'Portar' is too stiff and formal for shopping bags.

Llevar vs. Cargar vs. Transportar

Learners often confuse 'llevar' (personal carrying), 'cargar' (loading or bearing a heavy load), and 'transportar' (movement by vehicle/system). Remember: 'llevar' is usually by hand, 'cargar' is about the act of loading or the weight, and 'transportar' implies a more organized, often mechanical, movement of goods.

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