¿para llevar?
/paɾa ʝeˈbaɾ/word by word
The English phrase "can I get this to go" is expressed in Spanish as ¿para llevar?
In Spanish, it is most common and natural to use the short phrase ¿para llevar? as a question to indicate your intent.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase para llevar literally translates to "for to carry".
Which one should you use?
The opposite of 'para llevar' is para comer aquí (to eat here), which you use if you intend to dine in the establishment.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to use a full verb phrase, you can add the object pronoun lo (it) to the end of the infinitive llevar to say para llevarlo (to take it).
How do you pronounce it?
/paɾa ʝeˈbaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb llevar is used for almost any movement of an object from one place to another, whether you are carrying a bag, wearing a tie, or even leading a horse.
- Conceptually, when you ask for food para llevar, you are rooted in the physical act of lifting. The verb comes from the Latin levāre, the same root that gives us the English word 'levitate'.
- If you are in a very formal setting, you might use the phrase ¿me lo puede poner para llevar? instead of the shorter version. This adds the verbs 'to be able to' and 'to put/place' to make the request more polite.
Examples in context
- Quisiera una hamburguesa para llevar, por favor.I'd like a hamburger to go, please.
- Un café, ¿para llevar, por favor?A coffee, to go, please?
Example conversation
Daniel is ordering food at a bakery.
- DanielHola, quiero un sándwich.Hello, I want a sandwich.
- MaríaClaro, ¿para comer aquí o para llevar?Sure, to eat here or to go?
- DanielPor favor, ¿para llevar?Please, to go?
- MaríaMuy bien, Daniel. Aquí tienes.Very well, Daniel. Here you go.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (para, llevar) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries llevar, para, CC BY-SA 4.0.
