traer
Lemma Details
Translation: to bring; to carry; to fetch; to transport; to cause; to produce; to wear
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Traer comes from Latin 'trahere' meaning 'to pull, to draw, to drag'. This Latin root also gave English words like 'tractor' (something that pulls), 'traction', 'attract', 'contract', and 'extract'. The semantic shift from 'to pull/drag' to 'to bring' occurred in the evolution from Latin to Spanish, though the idea of movement remains central to both meanings.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 50%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
¿Puedes traer un vaso de agua?
Can you bring a glass of water?
Traje un regalo para ti.
I brought a gift for you.
Esta situación me trae muchos problemas.
This situation brings me many problems.
Ella trae puesto un vestido rojo.
She is wearing a red dress.
Ese comentario trajo consecuencias negativas.
That comment brought negative consequences.
Mnemonics
- Think of a 'tray' that you use to bring food to the table.
- The past tense 'traje' sounds like 'trash' - imagine bringing trash to the garbage can.
- Connect it to English 'tractor' which pulls or brings things.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
Traer is one of the most common irregular verbs in Spanish. Its past tense forms (traje, trajiste, etc.) are particularly important to learn as they don't follow regular patterns. The distinction between 'traer' (to bring toward the speaker) and 'llevar' (to take away from the speaker) is important in Spanish spatial orientation.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'traer' means 'to bring' (movement toward the speaker or reference point), 'llevar' means 'to take' or 'to carry' (movement away from the speaker). Both can be translated as 'to carry' in English, but the direction of movement differs.
Confused word:
Lleva el libro a su casa.
Take the book to his/her house.
Notes: The directional distinction is crucial in Spanish but often collapsed in English translations.
Mnemonic: Traer brings things TO you; Llevar takes things AWAY from you.
Explanation: 'Traer' means 'to bring' physically, while 'atraer' means 'to attract' or 'to draw in' (often figuratively).
Confused word:
El imán atrae el metal.
The magnet attracts metal.
Notes: Atraer is related to traer etymologically, both coming from Latin 'trahere'.
Mnemonic: Atraer has the 'a' prefix, think of 'attract' in English which also starts with 'a'.