Explore the differences between ir/irse, venir/venirse, and llevar/llevarse, focusing on expressing movement and intention with verbs like voy (I go), me voy (I leave), vienes (you come), and se lleva (he/she takes).
Verbo (Verb)Significado (Meaning)Ejemplo (Example)
IrMovimiento hacia un lugar (Movement towards a place)Voy al trabajo. (I am going to work.)
IrseSalir de un lugar (énfasis) (To leave a place (emphasis))Me voy de la empresa. (I am leaving the company.)
VenirLlegar (To arrive)¿Vienes a la gestoría? (Are you coming to the gestoría?)
VenirseLlegar con fuerza o decisión (To arrive with strength or determination)Se viene con nosotros. (He is coming with us.)
LlevarTransportar algo a otro lugar (To transport something to another place)Llevo mi maletín al trabajo. (I take my briefcase to work.)
LlevarseTomar algo consigo (Take something with oneself)Se lleva el ordenador a casa. (He takes the computer home.)

 

Exercise 1: Diferencia entre ir/irse, venir/venirse, llevar/llevarse

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

llevamos, me voy, se fueron, voy, vienes, se llevan, Se viene, viene

1. Llegar:
: Mi hermana ... a visitarme el fin de semana.
(My sister is coming to visit me at the weekend.)
2. Salir de un lugar (énfasis):
: Hoy ... temprano.
(Today I am leaving early.)
3. Llegar:
: ¿Tú ... también a clase?
(Are you coming to class too?)
4. Llegar con fuerza o decisión:
: ¡... la idea!
(The idea is coming!)
5. Tomar algo consigo:
: Ellos ... todos los papeles.
(They take all the papers with them.)
6. Salir de un lugar (énfasis):
: Los alumnos ... sin despedirse.
(The students left without saying goodbye.)
7. Transportar algo a otro lugar:
: Nosotros ... comida al evento.
(We are taking food to the event.)
8. Movimiento hacia un lugar:
: Yo ... al trabajo en bicicleta.
(I go to work by bike.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence in each block to practice the difference between ir/irse, venir/venirse, and llevar/llevarse in work and daily life contexts.

1.
'Ir' without a pronoun does not express the action of leaving with the reflexive intention required here.
The form 'voyse' does not exist; the correct reflexive form is 'me voy'.
2.
'Llevarse' implies taking something for oneself; here only the invoices are transported, they are not taken for oneself.
The position of the pronoun is incorrect; 'me' should not go before 'las'.
3.
'Veines' is an incorrect form; the correct form is 'vienes'.
'Venirse' is not used here without emphasis, and the pronoun is misplaced.
4.
The construction 'me viene' doesn't make sense in this context and is incorrect.
Although grammatically correct, it lacks the personal emphasis that 'venirse' conveys in this context.

Understanding the Difference Between Ir/Irse, Venir/Venirse, and Llevar/Llevarse

This lesson focuses on common Spanish verbs that express movement or transportation and their reflexive forms that add nuance through emphasis or personal involvement. You will learn how to distinguish and correctly use these pairs: ir vs. irse, venir vs. venirse, and llevar vs. llevarse.

Main Verbs and Their Reflexive Forms

  • Ir means moving towards a place. Example: Voy al trabajo.
  • Irse emphasizes leaving a place or departing. Example: Me voy de la empresa.
  • Venir means to arrive somewhere. Example: ¿Vienes a la gestoría?
  • Venirse adds a sense of arriving with force or determination. Example: Se viene con nosotros.
  • Llevar means transporting something to another place. Example: Llevo mi maletín al trabajo.
  • Llevarse means taking something along with oneself, often implying possession. Example: Se lleva el ordenador a casa.

Key Highlights

The reflexive forms (irse, venirse, llevarse) involve a personal or emotional emphasis beyond the simple movement. They often indicate intention, decision, or personal involvement that changes the nuance of the action.

Usage in Context

These verbs appear frequently in everyday conversations, especially in work or social environments, making it important to understand the subtle differences. For example, saying "Me voy de la oficina a las seis" emphasizes that you are leaving the office. Using irse instead of simply ir conveys that departure more emphatically.

Comparing Spanish Movement Verbs with English

Because the instruction language is English, it’s useful to note that reflexive forms like irse, venirse, and llevarse don’t have direct one-word equivalents in English. English uses phrasal verbs or additional words to express similar nuance. For example:

  • Ir usually equals "to go"
  • Irse can be translated as "to leave" or "to take off"
  • Venir means "to come"
  • Venirse implies "to come over" or "to come along" with added emphasis
  • Llevar is "to carry" or "to take"
  • Llevarse often means "to take away" or "to take with oneself"

Understanding these differences helps avoid confusion and enables you to use these verbs naturally in Spanish.

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Anja Radovanovic

Language sciences

Ca' Foscari University of Venice

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Last Updated:

Monday, 01/09/2025 23:35