“Take”, “take away”, “bring”, even in English these verbs can be difficult to use correctly.

If you’re learning Spanish, you’ve probably noticed that the verbs “tomar“, “llevar” and “traer” also have similar meanings, but it’s best not to confuse them.

In this lesson you will find all the explanations you need to use these three verbs correctly.

Tomar

This verb can be translated as “to take“. It can therefore be used in a very broad sense. It is used in a literal sense, when one wants to take something with the hand, as well as in a figurative sense.

In Latin America, “tomar” also means to drink or swallow.

Examples :

• Tómalo en tu mano = Take it in your hand
• Vamos a tomar el autobús para ir a la playa = We are going to take the bus to go to the beach
• Ella tomó el sol durante todo el verano = She took the sun all summer long
• Tengo que parar para tomar aliento = I have to stop to catch my breath
• Voy a tomar las medidas necesarias = I will take the necessary steps
• Tarde o temprano tendré que tomar una decisión = Sooner or later I should make a decision

Llevar

The verb “llevar” can be translated as “to bring” or “to take“. It conveys the idea that one carries an object or a person from one place to another.

Examples :

• Puedes llevar tus cosas de aquí = You can take your things from here
• ¿Puedes llevar a Sandra al trabajo ahora = Can you take Sandra to work right away?
• No olvides llevar tu paraguas = Don’t forget to bring your umbrella
• Voy a llevar a mi madre al doctor = I’m going to take my mother to the doctor

Traer

Traer is usually translated as “to bring“. It is used to express the movement of something or someone from another place to the place where you are.

Examples :

• Julio va traer su madre aquí = Julio will bring his mother here
• Trajeron vino = They brought wine
• ¿Puedes traerme el coche, por favor? = Can you bring me the car please?
• Pedro siempre trae el postre cuando viene a comer = Pedro always brings dessert when he comes to eat

👉 Practice now!

👉 Next lesson: Present tense

👉 Previous lesson: Pedir or Preguntar?

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