Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| llevar a cuestas | /ʝebaɾ a kwestas/ (from spelling rules) | |
| llevar a la espalda | /ʝebaɾ a la espalda/ (from spelling rules) | |
| llevar al caballito | /ʝebaɾ al kabaʝito/ (from spelling rules) | |
| llevar al apa | /ʝebaɾ al apa/ (from spelling rules) | Chile |
The primary meaning of these terms is to carry someone on your back or shoulders. However, you may encounter figurative uses. For example, you can use the expression Aprovecharse del trabajo ajeno informally to describe taking advantage of someone else's work or Colgarse de alguien o algo to describe hanging onto someone or something, such as riding on their popularity or efforts.
Which one should you use?
While llevar a cuestas is the standard way to express carrying someone on one's back, it can also be used figuratively to mean carrying a physical or emotional burden. The other forms describe the act of being on someone's back or shoulders as adverbs, such as a cuestas, a la espalda or al apa.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, the specific term llevar al apa is used to mean carrying someone on one's back.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using llevar a cuestas with a person, you must include the personal a (the direct object marker) before the person being carried, such as in llevar a alguien a cuestas.
Did you know?
- The word espalda comes from the Latin word spatula which described a broad and flat piece.
- One way to say 'piggyback' is al caballito, which literally translates to 'on the little horse'.
Examples in context
- No seas vago y deja de aprovecharte del trabajo ajeno.Don't be lazy and stop piggybacking on someone else's work.
- No te cuelgues de mi éxito, tienes que lograr tus propias metas.Don't piggyback on my success, you need to achieve your own goals.
- No puedo llevar a cuestas a este niño.I cannot carry this child on my back.
- ¿Me puedes llevar a cuestas hasta la silla?Can you carry me on your back to the chair?
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are walking home after a long day of sightseeing.
- MateoLucía, ya no puedo caminar más.Lucía, I can't walk anymore.
- LucíaEstás muy cansado, Mateo.You are very tired, Mateo.
- Mateo¿Me puedes llevar a cuestas un rato?Can you carry me piggyback for a while?
- Lucía¡No digas tonterías, tú eres más grande!Don't be silly, you are bigger than me!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “piggyback” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, apa, caballito, espalda, la, llevar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
