how do you know when to use Tomar and llevar

Question

how do you know when to use Tomar and llevar I'm studing spanish and can't seem to figure out what dictates when to use "to take"

Answer 1

Jeremias:

I will take the bus at 1pm = Tomaré el bus a la 1pm.

I will take these books to the library = Llevaré estos libros a la biblioteca.

I will carry these book with me all day = Llevaré estos libros conmigo todo el día.

EDIT:

Take this pill with some water = Tómese esta pastilla con un poco de agua

Answer 2

The primary meaning of llevar is "to carry". So that should help you understand when it means "take." If you are being carried from one place to another, you will use llevar. For instance,

Llevar un camión/autobus; llevar en coche

Tomar means take in the sense of ingesting (esp. medicine), or obtaining or receiving something:

Tomar una pastilla; tomar tu turno.

I hope that is helpful.

Just the answer I've been waiting for! Thanks, Jeremias!! - territurtle, Nov 5, 2011