Italian verbs Portare vs. Prendere

As you know in Italian there are some verbs that confuse English speakers. This is the case of the verbs Prendere and Portare. These two are very often translated to the English verb To take, so it’s understandable that lots of students confuse the two! A common mistake that I often hear is to use the verb prendere when you should be using portare. With this lesson I want to help you understand the difference between the two verbs. I will teach you the rules and give you some easy sentences to remember the difference. 

Download the entire lesson in PDF format by clicking on this link!

Let’s take the verb PORTARE.

Portare needs to me translated to the English verb “ to bring”. You will need to focus on a verb of movement that is the action of taking something or someone to a place.

So remember PORTARE - to bring.

Let’s look at some examples:

• Ti porto a scuola - I will take you to school
• Ti porto un caffè? - Can I get you a coffee?
• Porto la mamma a casa - I’m taking mom home.

In these examples you notice that the action is focusing on taking a person or a thing somewhere.

You can also use the verb portare when you take something or someone along with you:

• Portami un caffe per favore! – Please bring me a coffee… in this case the coffee is coming with the person
• Porta la giacca! - Bring a jacket!
• Portami un regalo da Parigi - Bring me a gift from Paris. 

PRENDERE on the other hand has a different meaning because it can be translated with the english verbs to pick someone up, to collect, or get something. You will use it to describe the action of taking someone or something toward us. 

 For example,

• Ti prendo un caffè al bar – I’ll get you a coffee from the cafe’.
• Vado a prendere Maria a scuola e arrivo. – I’m going to pick up Maria from school and I will come.
• Devo prendere i vestiti in lavanderia - I have to pick-up the clothes from the laundry
• Vai a prendere Paolo alla stazione? - Are you going to pick-up Paolo from the train station?
• Gianni va a prendere i libri in biblioteca - Gianni is going to get the books from the library.

Look at these two sentences. Use them as a guide to remembering when to use one verb and when to use the other:

• Porto Luca a scuola – I’m taking Luca to school
• Prendo Luca da scuola – I’m picking up Luca from school

BONUS INFORMATION on the verb prendere… use this sentence when you are in Italy ordering something in a restaurant or caffè!

If you go to a restaurant and the waiter asks you 

“Cosa prendi” he / she is asking you what you wish to have you can say:

• Prendo una pizza margherita – I’ll have a cheese pizza
• Prendo una bottiglietta d’acqua frizzante - I’ll have a bottle of sparkling water please

In this way you will use the verb prendere to say that you are having a specific food or drink.

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