llevo puesto
/ʝebo pwesto/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I am wearing" is translated into Spanish as llevo puesto.
llevo puesto is used to describe the clothes or accessories a person has on their body at the present moment.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb llevar (to carry/wear) and the participle puesto (put/placed), literally meaning "I carry put/placed".
Which one should you use?
While llevo puesto specifically refers to what is on the body, the single verb llevo can mean both "I am wearing" and "I am carrying" depending on the context. Additionally, the progressive form estoy llevando can also mean "I am wearing", but llevo puesto is more common for describing current attire.
Did you know?
- You can use llevo puesto to describe things that are not even fabric, such as llevo puesto un aire de importancia, which means 'I am wearing an air of importance'.
- The word puesto in llevo puesto shares an ancestor with the English word 'post', linked through the Latin idea of something being placed or positioned.
- In Spanish, you can use llevar to describe how long you have been wearing something, acting like the English 'have been wearing' rather than 'am wearing'.
Examples in context
- Estoy usando una camisa nuevaI am wearing a new shirt
- Llevo puesto un abrigoI am wearing a coat
- Llevo puesto un vestido rojo.I am wearing a red dress.
- Hoy llevo puesto un abrigo gris.Today I am wearing a gray coat.
- Llevo puesto un reloj nuevo.I am wearing a new watch.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are getting ready to go out for dinner.
- Elena¿Qué llevo puesto para la cena?What am I wearing for dinner?
- MateoLlevas puesto un conjunto muy elegante, Elena.You are wearing a very elegant outfit, Elena.
- ElenaGracias, ¿y tú qué llevas puesto?Thanks, and what are you wearing?
- MateoYo llevo puesto un traje azul.I am wearing a blue suit.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries puesto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
