'llevar' or 'llevarse'?

Question

Hello everyone! I found the next sentence:

"Miguel se lleva el coche a la oficina normalmente, pero yo no porque no me gusta conducir".

Why should I use "se lleva" instead of "lleva"?

Answer 1

Why should I use "se lleva" instead of "lleva"?

In this case the difference is not very significant. Llevar means to take something somewhere for someone or for a reason, while llevarse means to take something with you; in this case, the destination is optional.

While the context will probably help you dismiss any unlikely interpretations, "llevar el coche a la oficina" could always be read as taking the car there for someone tu use, while "llevarse el coche a la oficina" makes it very clear that it is for himself.

I got it. But what about the example I gave previously? Can I use both ways in other sentences also like "me pinto los labios" or "pinto los labios"? Always talking about myself. - ianta, May 7, 2011

In "pinto los labios" you wouldn't know what lips you are "painting". You must say "Me pinto". - lazarus1907, May 7, 2011

Answer 2

At the same time, if Miguel is going to take the car to work so that I can borrow it and pick it up from him there, he would say to me "Te llevo el coche al trabajo."

Answer 3

You can say it both ways and it means the same.

Now, in English.

Do you carry your car everyday to work?

Thanks! Can I use both ways in other sentences also like "me pinto los labios" or "pinto los labios" or is there a restriction in the usage of reflexive verbs? - ianta, May 7, 2011

In both situations I'm referring to sentences about myself. - ianta, May 7, 2011

No. Me pinto los labios = I paint my lips whereas Pinto los labios = I paint (the) lips (whose?) - chileno, May 7, 2011

Answer 4

hmmm....

Tiene que llevar el coche a la oficina.

Tiene que llevarse el coche a la oficina.

Tiene que llevarme el coche a la oficina.

Todas son iguales si estamos hablando de mi auto. Se entiende que ud. lo va a llevar de alguna manera, no necesariamente manejando, ¿no?