Word
Levo aí os livros de ficção.
Meaning
I am taking the fiction books there.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Breakdown of Levo aí os livros de ficção.
o livro
the book
de
of / from / by (means of transport) / wearing (attire)
os
them (m)
levar
to take (somewhere)
Questions & Answers about Levo aí os livros de ficção.
Why use levo instead of trago if I am taking the books to the person I am talking to?
In English, we often say 'I am bringing the books to you.' However, in Portuguese, trazer (to bring) is strictly for moving objects towards the speaker's current location (aqui). Because you are transporting the books away from where you currently are, you must use levar (to take), even if you are moving them to the listener's location.
Why use aí instead of lá or ali for 'there'?
Aí specifically refers to 'there where you are' (the listener's location). If you were taking the books to a third location away from both of you, you would use lá or ali. Pairing levar with aí clearly communicates that you are moving the objects to the listener's space.
The translation says 'I am taking', but levo is in the simple present tense. Why not use estou a levar?
While estou a levar literally means 'I am taking' right this second, the simple present (levo) is extremely common in Portuguese for stating an immediate intention or near-future plan. In this context, it functions much like 'I will take' or 'I am bringing them now' in English.
Why is it livros de ficção instead of just ficção livros?