A2Comparison

tomar vs llevar

English "take" covers both grabbing something and transporting it. Spanish splits the two, and the split is not optional.

grab, consume, board, decide

carry along, transport, wear

Quick answer

tomar = to take hold of, to take in — a drink, a bus, a decision, the sun.
llevar = to take something or someone with you, away from here.

If the thing moves along with you to another place, it is llevar. If you simply pick it up or consume it, it is tomar.

Side by side

Toma el autobús. / Lleva el autobús al taller.Boarding it is tomar; driving it somewhere else is llevar.

¿Tomas algo? / ¿Llevas algo?The first offers you a drink, the second asks what you are carrying.

Llevo dos años aquí.With a time span, llevar means "I have been here two years" — tomar never does this.

Ask whether the object travels with you. Travelling with you means llevar; everything you drink, board or decide is tomar.

Voy a tomar a mi hermana al aeropuerto.

Voy a llevar a mi hermana al aeropuerto.

Your sister moves with you to another place, so it is llevar. Tomar here sounds like you are grabbing her.

Llevo un café cada mañana.

Tomo un café cada mañana.

Drinking something is tomar. <i>Llevo un café</i> means you are carrying a coffee around.

Check yourself

Fill in: "¿Me ___ al centro en coche?"