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"Llevo" is a form of "llevar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to take". "Tengo" is a form of "tener", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to have". Learn more about the difference between "llevo" and "tengo" below.
llevar(
yeh
-
bahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
c. to bring
Llevaremos nuestros propios patines a la fiesta.We'll bring our own skates to the party.
d. to give a ride (in a vehicle)
Te llevo a la estación si quieres.I can give you a ride to the station if you like.
2. (clothing)
a. to wear
Ella siempre lleva sus botas favoritas cuando nieva.She always wears her favorite boots when it snows.
a. to be ahead by
Me llevaba dos metros de ventaja en la carrera cuando se cayó.He was ahead of me by two meters in the race when he fell.
b. to be older than (related to age)
Mi marido me lleva dos meses.My husband is two months older than me.
6. (to manage)
a. to handle
Sofía lleva todos los asuntos de finanzas en la familia.Sofía handles all the finances in the family.
b. to deal with
¿Quién va a llevar lo del traslado de oficina?¿Who's going to deal with the office move?
c. to run
Mi padre está enfermo, por lo que yo estoy llevando la empresa familiar en este momento.My father is sick, so I'm running the family business at the moment.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. to have (used with past participle)
Lleva comidos cuatro trozos de pizza.She has already eaten four slices of pizza.
llevarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
10. (to transport)
11. (to be friends)
a. to get along
Las dos hermanas nunca se han llevado bien.The two sisters have never gotten along well.
a. to be in
Se llevan mucho las zapatillas de deporte con trajes ahora.Wearing sneakers with a suit is really in now.
13. (to steal)
a. to take
Por lo que se ve, los intrusos no se llevaron nada.As far as we can see, the intruders didn't take anything.
b. to walk away with
Los ladrones se llevaron los candeleros de plata.The thieves walked away with the silver candlesticks.
tener(
teh
-
nehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to possess)
4. (to wear)
a. to have
La chica que busco tiene lentes de sol y una bufanda.The girl I'm looking for has sunglasses and a scarf.
10. (to measure)
12. (to receive)
a. to have
Todavía no tuve el correo electrónico de confirmación de la empresa.I haven't had a confirmation email from the company yet.
15. (to think of)
16. (used to indicate duration) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Tengo dos años sin verlo.I haven't seen him for two years.
Mis abuelos tienen 40 años de casados.My grandparents have been married for 40 years.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. to have to
Tengo que terminar mis deberes antes de salir a la fiesta.I have to finish my homework before going to the party.
b. must
Tienes que comer todo en tu plato si quieres postre.You must eat everything on your plate if you want dessert.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Tengo pensado ir al mercado mañana.I think I'll go to the market tomorrow.
Tenemos entendido que piensas dejar la escuela.We understand that you're thinking of leaving school.
a. to make
La noticia sobre el huracán me tiene muy nervioso.The news about the hurricane is making me nervous.
tenerse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to stand
Este adorno no se tiene sin apoyarlo contra algo.This ornament won't stand without leaning it on something.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Estaba tan mareado que no me tenía de pie.I was so dizzy that I couldn't stand up.
No me tengo de sueño.I'm so tired I can barely stand.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Este muchacho se tiene por muy guapo.That kid thinks he's so attractive.
¿Por quién se tiene tu prima?Who does your cousin think she is?
