Inklingo

How to Say "you take" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “you take” is “tomas” — use this when you are taking something, like a drink, food, or a form, or when referring to a formal 'you' (usted) taking a mode of transport..

tomasA1

Use this when you are taking something, like a drink, food, or a form, or when referring to a formal 'you' (usted) taking a mode of transport.

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llevas🔊A1

Use this when you are carrying or transporting something from one place to another, often referring to items in a bag or on your person.

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coges🔊A1

Use this for picking up or grabbing an object, or for using a specific route or vehicle like a bus or train.

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traes🔊A1

Use this when the movement of taking is directed towards the speaker or the place where the speaker is.

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sigues🔊A2

Use this specifically when you are following a street, road, or route to get somewhere.

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tomes🔊A1

Use this in suggestions, commands, or expressions of hope, often with the subjunctive mood, when someone should take something (like an umbrella) or a specific transport.

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lleves🔊A1

Use this in expressions of doubt, desire, or suggestion, indicating a possibility or a request for someone to take something somewhere.

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comes🔊B1

Use this in games like chess or checkers when a player takes or captures an opponent's piece.

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English → Spanish

tomas

verbA1formal
Use this when you are taking something, like a drink, food, or a form, or when referring to a formal 'you' (usted) taking a mode of transport.

Examples

Usted toma el autobús a las siete de la mañana.

You take the bus at seven in the morning.

llevas

yeh-vahs/ˈʎe.βas/

verbA1informal
Use this when you are carrying or transporting something from one place to another, often referring to items in a bag or on your person.
A smiling young person carrying a large, brightly colored backpack on their shoulders, walking across a sunny green field.

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.

coges

/ko-hes//ˈkoxes/

verbA1informal
Use this for picking up or grabbing an object, or for using a specific route or vehicle like a bus or train.
A hand picking up a bright red apple from a wooden table.

Examples

Tú coges las llaves de la mesa.

You take the keys from the table.

Si no coges el paraguas, te vas a mojar.

If you don't grab the umbrella, you're going to get wet.

¿A qué hora coges el autobús?

What time do you catch the bus?

Coges la primera calle a la derecha.

You take the first street on the right.

The 'G' to 'J' Switch

When you use the 'I' form (yo) or the special 'wishes/commands' form (subjunctive), the 'g' changes to a 'j' (cojo, coja) to keep the 'h' sound. In 'coges', the 'g' stays because it's followed by an 'e'.

The Latin American 'Warning'

Mistake: “Using 'coges' in Mexico or Argentina to mean 'you pick up'.”

Correction: Use 'tomas' or 'agarras' instead in these countries to avoid being accidentally vulgar.

traes

/trah-es//tɾa.es/

verbA1informal
Use this when the movement of taking is directed towards the speaker or the place where the speaker is.
A young person happily carrying a small woven basket filled with red apples, illustrating the act of bringing a physical object.

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?)

sigues

/see-gess//ˈsi.ɣes/

verbA2informal
Use this specifically when you are following a street, road, or route to get somewhere.
A storybook illustration showing a small, loyal dog walking directly behind the feet of a person on a simple sidewalk.

Examples

Si sigues esta calle todo recto, llegas a la estación.

If you follow this street straight ahead, you'll get to the station.

¿Me sigues en Twitter?

Do you follow me on Twitter?

No te entiendo. ¿Me sigues?

I don't understand you. Are you following me? (Do you get what I'm saying?)

tomes

TOH-mess/ˈtomes/

verbA1informal
Use this in suggestions, commands, or expressions of hope, often with the subjunctive mood, when someone should take something (like an umbrella) or a specific transport.
A close-up illustration of one hand offering a bright red apple to another hand, symbolizing taking something.

Examples

Espero que tomes el paraguas si va a llover.

I hope that you take the umbrella if it's going to rain.

No tomes esa decisión sin pensarlo bien.

Don't take that decision without thinking it through well.

¿Quieres que tomes un taxi para llegar más rápido?

Do you want me to get a taxi so you can arrive faster?

Necesito que tomes el tren de las cinco si quieres llegar a tiempo.

I need you to take the five o'clock train if you want to arrive on time.

When to Use 'Tomes'

'Tomes' is a special verb form used when you are talking to 'tú' (you, informal) about a wish, a doubt, or a suggestion. It often follows words like 'que' (that) or verbs of wishing (querer, esperar).

Negative Commands

To tell someone 'tú' not to do something (a negative command), you must use 'tomes' instead of the usual 'tomas.' Example: 'No tomes mi libro' (Don't take my book).

Taking Photos

While 'sacar una foto' (to take out a photo) is also common, 'tomar una foto' is the standard way to say 'to take a photograph' in much of Latin America.

Mixing Command Forms

Mistake: “No tomas mi dinero.”

Correction: No tomes mi dinero. (The negative command for 'tú' always uses the special 'tomes' form.)

tomes

TOH-mess/ˈtomes/

verbB1informal
Use this when you need someone to take a specific mode of transport to arrive somewhere on time, often in a subordinate clause.
A close-up illustration of one hand offering a bright red apple to another hand, symbolizing taking something.

Examples

Necesito que tomes el tren de las cinco si quieres llegar a tiempo.

I need you to take the five o'clock train if you want to arrive on time.

Espero que tomes el paraguas si va a llover.

I hope that you take the umbrella if it's going to rain.

No tomes esa decisión sin pensarlo bien.

Don't take that decision without thinking it through well.

¿Quieres que tomes un taxi para llegar más rápido?

Do you want me to get a taxi so you can arrive faster?

When to Use 'Tomes'

'Tomes' is a special verb form used when you are talking to 'tú' (you, informal) about a wish, a doubt, or a suggestion. It often follows words like 'que' (that) or verbs of wishing (querer, esperar).

Negative Commands

To tell someone 'tú' not to do something (a negative command), you must use 'tomes' instead of the usual 'tomas.' Example: 'No tomes mi libro' (Don't take my book).

Taking Photos

While 'sacar una foto' (to take out a photo) is also common, 'tomar una foto' is the standard way to say 'to take a photograph' in much of Latin America.

Mixing Command Forms

Mistake: “No tomas mi dinero.”

Correction: No tomes mi dinero. (The negative command for 'tú' always uses the special 'tomes' form.)

lleves

/yeh-vehs//ˈʎeβes/

verbA1informal
Use this in expressions of doubt, desire, or suggestion, indicating a possibility or a request for someone to take something somewhere.
A young man smiling while carrying a large, heavy backpack and a rolled sleeping bag on a hiking trail.

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.

comes

/KOH-mess//ˈko.mes/

verbB1
Use this in games like chess or checkers when a player takes or captures an opponent's piece.
A close-up illustration showing a hand capturing an opponent's black checker piece with a red checker piece on a traditional checkered game board.

Examples

Si mueves el peón, comes la reina de tu oponente.

If you move the pawn, you capture your opponent's queen.

Ese ácido es tan fuerte que comes el metal.

That acid is so strong that it eats away the metal. (You, the acid, are doing the action—figurative)

Figurative Use

Just like in English, 'to eat' can mean 'to destroy' or 'to take.' In Spanish games, 'comer' is the standard way to say 'to capture' a piece.

Informal vs. Formal 'You'

A frequent mistake is using the informal 'tú' form (like 'coges' or 'llevas') when speaking to someone you should address formally (usted). For formal 'you', use verbs like 'toma' (for usted) instead of 'tomas' (for tú). Always consider your relationship with the person you are speaking to.

Related Translations

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