How to Say "you bring" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “you bring” is “traes” — use 'traes' when asking or stating what someone is physically carrying towards the speaker or to a location where the speaker is..
traes
/trah-es//tɾa.es/
Examples
¿Qué traes en esa caja tan pesada?
What are you bringing in that heavy box?
Si traes el postre, yo pongo las bebidas.
If you bring the dessert, I'll provide the drinks.
Siempre traes buenas ideas a la reunión.
You always bring good ideas to the meeting.
Tú vs. Usted
'Traes' is only used when talking to one person informally (tú). If you are speaking formally or to a group, you must use 'trae' (usted) or 'traen' (ustedes).
Irregular 'Yo' Form
Notice how the 'yo' form is irregular: 'yo traigo'. This 'g' sound carries over into the special forms used for wishes and commands (subjunctive: 'traiga', 'traigas', etc.).
Confusing Traer and Llevar
Mistake: “¿Traes la maleta al aeropuerto? (meaning 'Take the suitcase to the airport')”
Correction: Use 'traer' when the direction is toward the speaker or the place of the conversation. Use 'llevar' when the direction is away from the speaker. Correction: ¿Llevas la maleta al aeropuerto? (Are you taking the suitcase away?)
llevas
yeh-vahs/ˈʎe.βas/
Examples
¿Qué llevas en la mochila? Parece muy pesada.
What are you carrying in your backpack? It looks very heavy.
Siempre llevas demasiados libros a la biblioteca.
You always take too many books to the library.
Verb Type
"Llevas" is the form of the verb llevar (to carry/take) that you use when speaking directly to one person informally (tú).
Direction is Key
Unlike English 'bring' (coming toward the speaker) and 'take' (going away), llevar usually means 'to take something away' or 'to transport it.'
Using *llevas* for 'Bring'
Mistake: “Cuando vienes, ¿llevas el pastel? (When you come, do you take the cake?)”
Correction: Cuando vienes, ¿traes el pastel? (When you come, do you bring the cake?). Use *traer* when the item is coming toward the current location or speaker.
lleves
/yeh-vehs//ˈʎeβes/
Examples
Quiero que lleves este paquete a la oficina de correos.
I want you to take this package to the post office.
Espero que no lleves mucho equipaje, será difícil caminar.
I hope you don't carry much luggage; it will be difficult to walk.
The Subjunctive Trigger
'Lleves' is the special verb form (subjunctive) used when the main part of the sentence expresses desire, emotion, doubt, or necessity toward the action being carried out by 'tú' (you).
Negative Command (Tú)
'Lleves' is also the form used for telling someone not to do something: '¡No lleves eso!' (Don't take that!).
Subjunctive vs. Indicative
Mistake: “Using 'Quiero que llevas el libro' (using the indicative 'llevas').”
Correction: You must use the subjunctive: 'Quiero que lleves el libro.' The verb 'querer' (to want) requires the special verb form in the second part of the sentence.
traen
/tra-en//ˈtɾa.en/
Examples
Ellos traen los regalos a la fiesta.
They are bringing the gifts to the party.
¿Qué traen ustedes de nuevo?
What are you (all) bringing that's new?
Los meseros traen la cuenta inmediatamente.
The waiters bring the check immediately.
Traer vs. Llevar
Use 'traer' when the movement is towards the speaker (like 'come here with it'). Use 'llevar' when the movement is away from the speaker (like 'take it there').
Irregular 'Yo' Form
Mistake: “The base form is 'traer', but the 'yo' form is not 'trao'.”
Correction: Remember the 'g' is added in the 'yo' form: 'yo traigo'.
Direction of Movement is Key
Related Translations
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