llevar or tomar

Question

While studying I was asked to translate the question, "How many pencils do they take?" The answer used the conjugation of llevar (llevan) and not toman. My understanding is that llevar means 'to take', as in transport. Is this verb used because the taking of the pencils is the act of transporting them from one location to another?

Answer 1

Both would be correct, depending of what is really being asked. (context)

Although, just by the way it's being asked one would assume right away it seems the question asks about transporting/handling them. But the other context it is also possible.

I have to learn to type faster. - 0074b507, Nov 21, 2011

;) - territurtle, Nov 25, 2011

Answer 2

A practice exercise.

link text

Pretty simple. There are only two contexts. physically carry, or ingest. Person helps decide some, but many have two possible answers with tense. - 0074b507, Nov 21, 2011

I liked this exercise, Swampy as I'm trying to understand the diferences betwee llevar and tomar. Muchas gracias! - bandit51jd, Jul 7, 2012

Answer 3

That is how I would have interpreted the English sentence. How many pencils do they take [with them]?

I suppose if you were discussing pencil boxes you could ask How many pencils do they take? meaning ¿Cuántos caben?

That is why context is always asked for in translations and word definitions.