Inklingo

How to Say "you wear" in Spanish

English → Spanish

llevas

yeh-vahs/ˈʎe.βas/

verbA1general
Use 'llevas' to ask or state what someone is currently wearing, including clothing, accessories, or makeup.
A figure wearing a bright yellow raincoat and matching yellow rain boots, standing under a gentle drizzle.

Examples

¿Llevas gafas de sol? Está muy soleado.

Are you wearing sunglasses? It's very sunny.

Qué bien llevas ese color; te queda genial.

That color looks great on you; it really suits you.

Wearing vs. Having

While English uses 'to wear,' Spanish uses llevar to mean you have the item on your body, just like you would 'carry' a bag.

viste

/BEES-teh//ˈbiste/

verbA2general
Use 'viste' to talk about someone's general style or habit of dressing, similar to 'how someone dresses'.
A cheerful person putting on brightly colored clothes, representing the act of dressing.

Examples

Tú siempre viste con colores muy alegres.

You always dress in very cheerful colors.

Si viste de traje, te verás muy profesional.

If you dress in a suit, you will look very professional.

¿Cómo te viste para ir a la oficina?

How do you dress to go to the office?

A Now Tense for 'You'

This is the 'tú' (informal you) form of 'vestir' (to dress) in the present tense. It describes how you generally dress or are dressing now. Notice the 'e' changes to an 'i'!

Forgetting the 's'

Mistake: “'Tú viste bien.'”

Correction: 'Tú vistes bien.' In the present tense, the 'tú' form almost always ends in 's'. 'Viste' without the 's' is for 'él/ella/usted'.

lleves

/yeh-vehs//ˈʎeβes/

verbA1general
Use 'lleves' when giving a recommendation or suggestion about what someone should wear, often in a subjunctive context.
A child happily wearing a bright yellow raincoat and matching rain boots while jumping in a puddle.

Examples

Te recomiendo que lleves un abrigo, hace mucho frío afuera.

I recommend that you wear a coat; it's very cold outside.

Dudo que lleves el uniforme hoy, es día libre.

I doubt that you are wearing the uniform today; it's a day off.

Subjunctive for Advice

When giving strong advice or recommendations to 'tú' (you), especially after phrases like 'recomendar que...' (to recommend that...), you must use 'lleves' (the subjunctive form).

luces

/loo-ses//ˈlu.θes/ (Spain) or /ˈlu.ses/ (Latin America)

verbB1general
Use 'luces' when you want to emphasize that someone is showing off or displaying an item, particularly clothing or jewelry, in an attractive way.
A cheerful cartoon figure standing proudly, modeling a new, vibrant blue hat that is the central focus of the illustration.

Examples

¿Qué joyas luces hoy? ¡Son preciosas!

What jewelry are you wearing/showing off today? They are beautiful!

Siempre luces muy elegante cuando vas a esa fiesta.

You always look very elegant when you go to that party.

Si luces esa sonrisa, convences a cualquiera.

If you show that smile (literally: If you shine that smile), you convince anyone.

The 'Yo' Form is Special

The verb 'lucir' changes its stem from 'c' to 'zc' only in the 'yo' form (luzco) and in all the forms of the special verb mood used for wishes and doubts (the subjunctive).

Confusing Current Wear vs. General Style

The most common mistake is confusing 'llevas' (what you are wearing right now) with 'vistes' (your general way of dressing). Remember that 'llevas' is for specific items at a specific time, while 'vistes' describes a consistent personal style.

Related Translations

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