vs
QUICK ANSWER
"A" is a preposition which is often translated as "to", and "traer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to bring". Learn more about the difference between "a" and "traer" below.
a, la a(
ah
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Podía respirar a duras penas.He was hardly able to breathe.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡A fregar los platos!Go do the dishes!
¡A la cama!Off to bed!
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me encantaría ganar dinero a espuertas.I would love to earn lots of money.
Llovía a cántaros.It was pouring.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
a. A
El circuito transporta una corriente de 1 A.The circuit carries a current of 1 A.
La intensidad de la corriente eléctrica se mide en A.The intensity of an electric current is measured in A.
traer(
trah
-
ehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to wear
La novia trae un vestido blanco largo con encaje delicado.The bride is wearing a long, white dress with delicate lace.
4. (to include)
5. (to provoke)
7. (to attract)
a. to bring
¿No sabes que hacer eso trae mala suerte?Don't you know that doing that brings bad luck?
8. (colloquial) (to have a problem with) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. to be wrong with
Oye, ¿qué traes? - No traigo nada; solo estoy muy cansado.Hey, what's wrong with you? - Nothing's wrong with me; I'm just really tired.
traerse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
9. (to carry)
a. to bring
Me traje dos trajes de baño por si vamos mucho a la playa.I brought two bathing suits in case we go to the beach a lot.
b. to bring along
Tráete el perro cuando vamos al parque.Bring the dog along when we go to the park.
10. (to plot)
a. to be up to
¿Qué se trae Carlitos? Lleva una sonrisa traviesa.What's Carlitos up to? He has a mischievous grin on his face.
