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"Venir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to come", and "traer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to bring". Learn more about the difference between "venir" and "traer" below.
venir(
beh
-
neer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
2. (to return)
5. (to occur)
a. to get
Me viene sueño en el trabajo después de almorzar.I get drowsy at work after having lunch.
A nosotros nos vino una gripe terrible.We got a terrible flu.
a. to come
Lo mejor está por venir.The best is yet to come.
Ahora viene la escena que me gusta.The scene I like is coming up.
b. next (followed by a timeframe)
La semana que viene estaré trabajando desde casa.I'll be working from home next week.
El año que viene visitaremos Japón.Next year we're traveling to Japan.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Unas largas vacaciones ahora me vendrían bien.A long vacation now would do me nicely.
Estas botas me vendrán bien cuando haya mucha nieve.These boots will come in handy when it's very snowy.
b. to work for
¿Te viene bien reunirnos mañana a las 4 pm?Does meeting at 4 pm tomorrow work for you?
a. to pick up
Avísale a Sofía que sus amigas han venido por ella.Tell Sofia her friends have come to pick her up.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Vino el mensajero a por el contrato?Has the messenger been to pick up the contract?
Venimos a por el perro.We're here to collect the dog.
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.).
venirse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to come
Se vino una tormenta mientras nadábamos en la playa.A storm came upon us when we were swimming at the beach.
El perro se vino sin ser llamado.The dog came without being called.
17. (to return)
18. (colloquial) (sexual)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to come (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Se vino en tan solo unos minutos.She came in just a few minutes.
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.
