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To take/to bring in Spanish
Llevar and traer are both verbs that indicate movement but it is important not to confuse them.
Llevar is used to take something/someone somewhere from our location to another place. Traer is used to bring something from somewhere else to our location.
Here are some examples:
Llevar
Notice that when it is used to take "people" to another location you need the preposition "a", like in the last example (a los niños). In addition, a second preposition "a" indicates "to" where (al colegio, a la estación).
Traer
Note that if you are saying "to bring something somewhere", traer needs the preposition "a" to introduce where (a la oficina).
It is common to use the verb "traer" in bars and restaurants when we you ask the waiter for extra things. For example:
It is very common to find indirect object pronouns with both traer and llevar to express to whom things are taken to or brought to (me traes, nos trajo, les llevó, te llevo...) as well as direct object pronouns expressing who one takes or brings something to, for example:
With indirect object pronouns
With direct object pronouns
Bear in mind that llevar can also mean "to wear" or "to carry":
Lleva una falda roja y una camiseta blanca.
She is wearing a red skirt and a white t-shirt.
No puedes llevar tanto peso en tu maleta.
You can't carry so much weight in your suitcase.
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Examples and resources
¿Por qué traes comida de casa a la oficina? Tenemos una cantina con comida gratis.Why do you bring food from home to the office? We have a canteen with free food.
Hemos traído unas botellas de vino para animar la fiesta.We brought some bottles of wine to liven up the party.
