Learn Hardcore Spanish (Latin America): Además, traigo agua para todos. - Besides, I’m bringing water for everyone.

Además means “in addition,” “besides,” or “what’s more.” It introduces an extra point on top of what was just said. También means “also/too” and is a bit lighter and more neutral. In many contexts both work, but además often sounds a little more emphatic or argumentative than también. Example:

También traigo agua = I also bring water.
Además, traigo agua = What’s more, I’m bringing water.

Is the comma after Además required?

It’s recommended when Además starts the sentence as a sentence adverb: Además, traigo… Without the comma (Además traigo…) you’ll still be understood, but the comma improves readability.

Why traigo and not llevo?

Spanish contrasts traer (to bring toward the speaker/listener’s location) and llevar (to take away to another place). Use:

Traigo when the water is being brought to where the conversation is centered (e.g., you’re arriving to the group).
Llevo when you are taking it somewhere else. Note: In much of Latin America, traer can also mean “to have/carry with you right now” (e.g., ¿Traes agua? = “Do you have water (on you)?”), which fits this sentence well.

What does the present tense traigo mean here?

It most naturally means “I have (brought) water with me (now)” or “I’m bringing water (now).” Spanish often uses the simple present for actions in progress or very near in time.

How would I say “I brought water for everyone”?

Use the preterite: Además, traje agua para todos. (traje = I brought.)

Could I say Estoy trayendo or Voy a traer instead?

Estoy trayendo agua = I’m in the middle of bringing water (focus on the ongoing action; less common in many contexts than the simple present).
Voy a traer agua = I’m going to bring water (near future plan).
Traeré agua = I will bring water (more formal or distant future).
In the original context, traigo is the most natural if you already have it with you or are just arriving with it.

How do you pronounce the sentence?

Además: ah-deh-MÁS (stress on the last syllable).
traigo: TRAI-go (the g between vowels is a soft sound; the ai is one glide).
agua: Á-gwa (the g is soft; quick glide in -gua).
para todos: PA-ra TO-dos (the d in todos is very soft; in fast speech you may hear pa’ for para).

Why is there no article before agua?

Because agua is a mass/uncountable noun here. Spanish commonly omits the article with indefinite amounts: traigo agua = “I’m bringing (some) water.” If you mean a specific water, you’d use the article: Traigo el agua = “I’m bringing the water.”

Isn’t agua masculine since we say el agua?

Agua is grammatically feminine. It uses el (not la) in the singular article only to avoid the clash of two adjacent stressed “a” sounds: el agua. Agreement stays feminine:

el agua fría (feminine adjective)
Plural goes back to las: las aguas frías. Pronouns agree with the real gender: ¿El agua? Sí, ya la traigo.

Can I say un agua?

Yes, with the same initial-sound rule, the singular indefinite article is un: un agua, un agua fría. In everyday use, un agua often means “a (bottle/glass of) water,” and in Mexico/Central America it can mean a flavored water drink (un agua de jamaica). If you mean a container explicitly, say una botella de agua.

What’s the difference between para todos and a todos?

para todos = intended for everyone (focus on purpose/beneficiary).
a todos = to everyone (focus on the recipients as an indirect object, often implying distribution). Both can be fine; nuance depends on context:
Traigo agua para todos (there’s enough for everyone).
Les traigo agua a todos (I’m bringing each of you some water).

Does todos mean “everyone” or “all of you”? How do I make it clear?

In context it can mean either. To be explicit:

“everyone” (general): para todos, para todo el mundo.
“all of you” (you plural): para todos ustedes (Latin America).

If I’m talking only to women, should it be todas?

Yes. Use todas when the group is entirely female: Además, traigo agua para todas.

Can I put Además somewhere else?

Best at the start or after a pause: Además, traigo… Mid-sentence is also possible: Traigo, además, agua para todos (more formal). Ending the sentence with además is unusual. You can also use the prepositional form Además de: Además de agua, traigo jugo.

Could I reorder to Traigo para todos agua?

It’s possible but less natural. You usually keep the direct object close to the verb: Traigo agua para todos. If you want to foreground the beneficiaries, a very natural option is: Les traigo agua a todos.

How would I add pronouns, like “I’m bringing it for everyone”?

If “water” is already known, use a direct object pronoun for it and an indirect object for the people:

Se la traigo a todos.
Here, la = “the water” (feminine), and se replaces les before la (you can’t say les la). You can also say: Les traigo agua a todos when you keep “agua” explicit.

What are the key irregular forms of traer I should know?

Present: traigo, traes, trae, traemos, traen
Preterite: traje, trajiste, trajo, trajimos, trajeron
Gerund/participle: trayendo, traído
Subjunctive (pres.): traiga, traigas, traiga, traigamos, traigan
Commands: trae (tú), traiga (usted), traigan (ustedes), traigamos (nosotros)

Could I use por instead of para here?

No. Por todos would mean “because of everyone,” “by everyone,” or “through everyone,” which isn’t the idea. For intended recipients/beneficiaries, use para: agua para todos.