Inklingo

How to Say "you brought" in Spanish

English → Spanish

trajiste

trah-HEES-teh/tɾaˈxiste/

verbA1informal
Use 'trajiste' when the focus is on the action of bringing something *to* the speaker's current location or a shared destination.
A colorful storybook illustration of a smiling girl wearing a blue dress, standing on a grassy hill, holding out a small red wrapped gift box toward a boy who is reaching out to take it.

Examples

¿Qué trajiste de la tienda?

What did you bring from the store?

Me trajiste flores, ¡qué lindo!

You brought me flowers, how sweet!

Dijiste que trajiste el libro, pero no lo veo.

You said you brought the book, but I don't see it.

Preterite Tense

This form tells you that the action ('bringing') was completed at a specific moment in the past. It's like saying 'did bring' or 'brought'.

The Irregular 'J' Stem

The verb 'traer' is highly irregular in the simple past (preterite). The stem changes from 'tra-' to 'traj-'. This is common among verbs like 'decir' (dij-) and 'conducir' (conduj-).

Missing the Irregularity

Mistake: “Using *traíste* (treating it as a regular verb).”

Correction: The correct form is **trajiste**. Remember that the 'j' sound takes over in the simple past.

Adding an Accent

Mistake: “Writing *trajisté*.”

Correction: Verbs with the irregular 'J' stem (like traer, decir, conducir) do NOT take a written accent mark in the simple past tense (preterite) 'tú' form.

llevaste

/yeh-VAHS-teh//ʎeˈβaste/

verbA1
Use 'llevaste' when the focus is on taking something *away* from the speaker's location or carrying it to a different place, emphasizing the act of transporting.
A simplified storybook illustration of a person walking and carrying a large, heavy brown suitcase in one hand.

Examples

¿Por qué llevaste tantas maletas al viaje?

Why did you carry so many suitcases on the trip?

Llevaste los libros a la biblioteca ayer.

You took the books to the library yesterday.

Simple Past Action (Preterite)

This form 'llevaste' tells you that the action of carrying or taking happened once and finished completely in the past.

'Tú' Form

'Llevaste' is the 'tú' form, meaning you are talking directly to one person informally about what they did.

Llevar vs. Traer

Mistake: “Using 'llevar' when you mean 'traer' (to bring to the speaker's location).”

Correction: 'Llevar' means to take *away* from the speaker. 'Traer' means to bring *to* the speaker. If you are talking to someone about what they brought to your house, use 'trajiste', not 'llevaste'.

Bringing vs. Carrying Away

The most common mistake is confusing 'traer' (to bring) with 'llevar' (to carry/take). Remember that 'trajiste' implies movement towards the speaker or a common point, while 'llevaste' implies movement away from the speaker or to a separate destination.

Related Translations

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