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"Poner" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to put", and "traer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to bring". Learn more about the difference between "poner" and "traer" below.
poner(
poh
-
nehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to place)
2. (figurative) (to cause to be)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. to put
Su renuncia me pone en una situación difícil.His resignation puts me in a difficult position.
3. (clothing)
a. to put on
Después de bañar a la bebé, hay que ponerle ropa limpia.After giving the baby a bath, you have to put some clean clothes on her.
4. (to install)
6. (to grade)
7. (to produce)
a. to put in
Podemos alquilar ese sitio si todos ponemos algo de dinero.We can rent the place if everybody puts in some cash.
9. (to connect)
10. (to name)
11. (to establish)
a. to open
Sandy y su esposo van a poner una panadería en la calle principal.Sandy and her husband are going to open a bakery on main street.
ponerse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
12. (to become)
a. to get
No te pongas impaciente conmigo cuando no has hecho nada para ayudar.Don't get impatient with me when you haven't done anything to help.
b. to be
No te pongas triste, cariño. Todo se arreglará.Don't be sad, sweetie. Everything will work out.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me pongo furiosa con pensarlo.It makes me mad to think about it.
El perro siempre se pone feliz al verte.The dog's always happy to see you.
a. to wear
Ya nunca me pongo ese vestido porque se ha quedado muy anticuado.I don't wear that dress anymore because it's very old-fashioned.
17. (to go down)
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.
