What does llevar in Spanish mean?

What is the meaning of the word llevar in Spanish? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use llevar in Spanish.

The word llevar in Spanish means carry, take, take, show, be [+ time], have been doing, drive, wear, have, be, be older than, make off with, get along, get on, be in, take hardly any, produce results, let yourself be carried away by , let yourself be swept away by, get swept up in passion, give in to passion, give a piggy back ride to, carry through, carry out,, owe big, owe big time, carry the weight, give effect to, mislead, take to court, bring to the big screen, put into practice, lead to ruin, be offended by, carry out, carry out, walk down the aisle together, endanger, lead to success, swindle, dupe, lead astray, test, have something in your blood, be associated with, be linked to, look good for your age, carry your age well, keep track of, keep account of, drive you crazy, carry deep within, bear inside, put food on the table, fit to be tied, be up to date with work, carry in your arms, carry in the heart, bear in your heart, be in your blood, spoil, wear glasses, inherent in this approach, integral to this, take the lead, toe the line, keep the accounts, keep the books, go along with, be out in front, be in the lead, lead the way, do the accounts, be in charge of the accounts, stand to lose, be in a bad position, take charge, take control, be in charge of, be cheated on, wear the pants, lead a bad life, lead an evil life, lead astray, capture, be in a hurry, be in a rush, take prisoner, be wearing, be right, be late, be delayed, take time, be mad, have a head-start on, take to the altar, not lead anywhere, not lead anywhere, be a dead-end street, not lead anywhere, not give any clues, take-out, lavish attention on, treat with kid gloves, run in your veins, wear out, wear out, keep on the go, send on a wild goose chase. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word llevar

carry, take

verbo transitivo (transportar a otro lugar)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

El botones llevó las maletas al dormitorio. Todos los días llevo a los niños al colegio.

The porter took the suitcases to the room. Every day I take the children to school.

take, show

verbo transitivo (guiar)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

El guía nos llevó por toda la ciudad.

The guide took us around the whole city.

be [+ time]

verbo intransitivo (permanecer)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Ana lleva dos meses en Madrid. Mateo lleva dos semanas con tos seca.

Ana has been in Madrid for two months.

have been doing

verbo intransitivo (haber estado haciendo algo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Llevo dos horas esperando a mi hermano. Lucía lleva un año terminando sus estudios.

I've been waiting two hours for my brother.

drive

verbo transitivo (a un fin, resultado)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Con sus despilfarros llevó a la familia a la ruina.

He drove the family to ruin with his wasteful exploits.

wear

verbo transitivo (traer puesto)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Ana lleva el vestido azul porque es el que mejor le sienta.

Ana is wearing the blue dress because it's the one that suits her most.

have, be

verbo transitivo (haber realizado algo) (followed by participle, noun)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

En lo que va de la tarde, llevo corregidos veinte exámenes de mis alumnos.

So far this afternoon, I have corrected twenty of my students' exams.

be older than

verbo transitivo (exceder en cantidad)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Mi padre le lleva cinco años a mi madre.

My father is five years older than my mother.

make off with

verbo pronominal (informal (robar, sustraer) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El ladrón se llevó joyas y dinero. Los ladrones se llevaron mi coche.

The thief made off with jewellery and money.

get along, get on

verbo pronominal (relación: entenderse)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")

Hay un buen ambiente de trabajo porque todos los empleados se llevan bien.

There's a good working atmosphere because all the staff get along.

be in

verbo pronominal (informal (estar de moda)

Este año se llevan los colores pastel.

This year pastel colors are in.

take hardly any

expresión (casi no llevar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Apenas llevábamos provisiones y tuvimos hambre todo el día.

We took hardly any provisions and were hungry the whole day.

produce results

locución verbal (dar resultado)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El negocio no ha dado frutos pero creo que será muy exitoso.

The business is not producing results, but I believe it will be very successful.

let yourself be carried away by , let yourself be swept away by

locución verbal (no resistirse)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Verónica se dejó llevar por ese chico.

Veronica let herself be swept away by that boy.

get swept up in passion, give in to passion

locución verbal (ceder a la pasión)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Nicolás se dejó llevar por la pasión.

Nicholas got swept up in passion.

give a piggy back ride to

locución verbal (cargar sobre el lomo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Juan lleva a su hijo a caballito.

John is giving a piggy back ride to his son.

carry through, carry out,

locución verbal (realizar)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")

Los cirujanos llevaron a cabo un trasplante múltiple.

The surgeons carried out a multiple transplant.

owe big, owe big time

expresión (AmL, figurado (para agradecer un favor)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Si me hace ese favor lo llevo a casar.

carry the weight

locución verbal (figurado (cargar) (figuraitve)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Desde que mi marido está en el paro soy yo la que lleva la casa a cuestas.

Since my husband is unemployed, I am the one who is carrying the weight of the home.

give effect to

locución verbal (realizar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

La empresa decidió llevar a efecto lo pautado en la reunión.

The company decided to give effect to what was laid out in the meeting.

mislead

locución verbal (confundir)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Tantas vueltas pueden llevar a error, es mejor ir precavido.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. The government propaganda might mislead some people.

take to court

locución verbal (entablar pleito)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El empleado llevó a juicio a la empresa.

The employee took the company to court.

bring to the big screen

locución verbal (llevar al cine)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El director llevó a la gran pantalla el exitoso libro.

put into practice

locución verbal (implementar) (theory)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Espero que tu teoría funcione cuando la lleves a la práctica.

I hope your theory works when you put it into practice.

lead to ruin

locución verbal (arruinar económicamente)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Este negocio nos llevará a la ruina.

be offended by

locución verbal (resentirse, ofenderse)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Carla llevó a mal lo que dijiste de su vestido.

carry out

locución verbal (finalizar) (project)

Llevamos a término el proyecto con mucho éxito.

We carried out the project with great success.

carry out

(sacar a flote)

Aunque parecía que iban a fracasar, los directores lograron llevar adelante su plan para salvar la empresa.

Although it seemed like they were going to go under, the directors managed to carry out their plan to save the business.

walk down the aisle together

locución verbal (casarse con alguien) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Está enamorado y la va a llevar al altar.

endanger

locución verbal (figurado (persona: arriesgarla) (formal)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Meterlo a ese negocio es llevarlo al degolladero.

lead to success

locución verbal (llevar al triunfo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Este negocio nos llevará al éxito.

swindle, dupe

locución verbal (ES, coloquial, figurado (engañar) (deceive)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

A mí no me vas a llevar al huerto, no te vuelvo a dejar dinero porque no me lo devuelves.

You're not going to swindle me; I'm not going to give you money again because you don't pay me back.

lead astray

locución verbal (ES, coloquial, figurado (tener sexo) (dated)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Se la llevó al huerto antes de casarse con ella.

He led her astray before marrying her.

test

locución verbal (poner en situación extrema)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ese niño me lleva al límite de mi paciencia.

That boy tests my patience.

have something in your blood

locución verbal (llevar algo en los genes)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Toda la familia es futbolista: llevan el deporte en la sangre.

The whole family are footballers: they have the sport in their blood.

be associated with, be linked to

locución verbal (implicar, conllevar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ese trastorno podría llevar asociadas otras conductas.

look good for your age, carry your age well

locución verbal (mantenerse joven)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Mi abuela lleva muy bien los años y parece mucho más joven.

keep track of, keep account of

locución verbal (llevar control)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Pablo lleva cuenta de todos sus gastos.

Pablo keeps track of (or: keeps account of) all his expenses.

drive you crazy

locución verbal (coloquial (preocupar, inquietar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Todos estos problemas en la oficina me llevan de cabeza.

All these problems at the office are driving me crazy.

carry deep within, bear inside

locución verbal (figurado (sentir muy hondo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Llevo dentro una pena muy profunda desde que mi mujer me abandonó.

I carry a burden deep within me ever since my wife left me.

put food on the table

locución verbal (familia: alimentarla)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Mi papá fue el que siempre llevó el bocado a la casa.

fit to be tied

locución verbal (enojarse mucho)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

No llegó su cheque y está que se lo lleva el demonio.

be up to date with work

locución verbal (no tener pendientes)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Marcos lleva el trabajo al día como un buen empleado.

Marcos is up to date with work like a good employee.

carry in your arms

(cargar en brazos)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

María lleva en brazos a su bebé todo el día.

Maria carries her baby in her arms all day long.

carry in the heart, bear in your heart

locución verbal (recordar con afecto)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

A todos mis fans los llevo en el corazón.

I carry all my fans in my heart.

be in your blood

locución verbal (llevar en los genes)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Llevo en la sangre el amor por el boxeo, vengo de familia de boxeadores.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. Racing was in Ayrton Senna's blood

spoil

locución verbal (dar gusto en todo)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Sus padres la llevan en palmitas.

wear glasses

(usar gafas)

Alejandra lleva gafas desde pequeña.

Alejandra has worn glasses since she was little.

inherent in this approach, integral to this

(llevar incluido)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

El correo del jefe lleva implícito un pedido de puntualidad.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. New measures must be taken against sexism in the workplace and positive discrimination is integral to this.

take the lead

locución verbal (figurado (mandar, dirigir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Pedro lleva la batuta en la oficina y todos hacen lo que él dice.

toe the line

locución verbal (México, figurado (lealtad)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Es un empleado muy leal a la empresa, trae la camiseta bien puesta.

keep the accounts, keep the books

locución verbal (administrar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

María lleva la contabilidad de toda la empresa.

Maria keeps the accounts of the whole company.

go along with

(seguirle el humor)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be out in front, be in the lead

locución verbal (ir por delante) (race)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El corredor jamaiquino lleva la delantera.

The Jamaican runner is out in front.

lead the way

locución verbal (figurado (llevar la dirección de algo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Enrique es el que lleva la voz cantante: si quieres negociar, tienes que hacerlo con él.

Erick is the one who leads the way; if you want to do business, you have to do it with him.

do the accounts, be in charge of the accounts

locución verbal (controlar el dinero)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Pedro lleva las cuentas de todas las rondas de cerveza.

stand to lose, be in a bad position

locución verbal (tener la peor posición)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Mauro es el empleado más nuevo y lleva las de perder si la empresa piensa reducir personal.

Mauro is the newest employee and stands to lose if the company plans to lay off staff.

take charge, take control

locución verbal (tener el control)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cuando hay conflictos, María siempre lleva las riendas y encuentra la solución.

When there is conflict, Maria always takes control and finds a solution.

be in charge of

(controlar, dirigir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

En casa, mamá lleva las riendas de la economía familiar.

At home, Mum is in charge of the family finances.

be cheated on

locución verbal (ser un engañado)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Pablo lleva los cuernos desde hace meses y no lo sabe.

wear the pants

locución verbal (coloquial, figurado (ser el que manda)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Le molesta que su esposa lleve los pantalones en la casa.

lead a bad life, lead an evil life

locución verbal (no llevar vida decente)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Brenda lleva mala vida desde que se junta con esos pandilleros.

Brenda's been leading a bad life since she started hanging out with those hoodlums.

lead astray

locución verbal (figurado (hacer comportarse mal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

capture

locución verbal (prender, aprisionar)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Llegó la policía y se lo llevó preso.

be in a hurry, be in a rush

locución verbal (tener urgencia)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Llevo prisa, debo llegar al banco antes de que cierre.

I'm in a hurry. I need to get to the bank before it closes.

take prisoner

(detener)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

La policía llevó prisionero a Carlos.

be wearing

(lucir una prenda)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Diana lleva puesta una falda negra.

Diana has a black skirt on.

be right

locución verbal (tener razón)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Martín siempre cree que lleva razón, pero no siempre la lleva.

Martin always thinks that he's right, but it's not always the case.

be late, be delayed

locución verbal (ir retrasado)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El vuelo lleva retraso, mejor avisa en el hotel.

take time

locución verbal (requerir tiempo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Acostumbrarse a una nueva ciudad lleva tiempo.

Getting used to a new city takes time.

be mad

locución verbal (estar enfadado)

Le salió mal el examen y lleva un cabreo de cuidado.

He did poorly on the exam and is mad.

have a head-start on

locución verbal (ir ganando a)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Lucía le lleva ventaja a su hermana en la carrera.

take to the altar

expresión (casarse)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Juan se propuso llevarse a Inés al altar y lo logró 4 años más tarde.

not lead anywhere

locución verbal (falta de objetivo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

La violencia no conduce a ninguna parte.

not lead anywhere, be a dead-end street

locución verbal (acciones, diligencias)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

La venganza no lleva a ninguna parte.

not lead anywhere, not give any clues

locución verbal (pistas, rastros)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Las huellas en el arma del crimen no llevaron a ninguna parte.

take-out

locución adjetiva (comida) (food)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Compramos comida para llevar cerca del trabajo y la comimos en la oficina.

We bought take-out food near work and ate it in the office.

lavish attention on

locución verbal (ES, coloquial (con elogios)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Los ejecutivos recibieron en palmitas el proyecto del director.

treat with kid gloves

locución verbal (ES, coloquial (complacer)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

En el hotel reciben en palmitas a los clientes importantes.

run in your veins

locución verbal (figurado (tener algo dentro de sí)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Tanto Juan como su madre tienen el arte en las venas: él es pintor y ella es escritora.

Art runs through both Juan and his mother's veins; he's a painter and she's a writer.

wear out, wear out

(coloquial (molestar constantemente)

Teresa me lleva frito con sus caprichos y sus malos modos.

Teresa has worn me out with her whims and rude behaviour.

keep on the go

locución verbal (ES: coloquial (ocupar a alguien)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

send on a wild goose chase

locución verbal (ES: coloquial (engañar a alguien) (colloquial)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

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