¡Hola, amigos! The verb traer (“to bring”) is irregular in some tenses. In this lesson, we’ll practice using it in the presente simple and the pasado simple. We’ll also look at the futuro simple, which follows a regular pattern, so you can use traer confidently in the past, present, and future.
You’ll also learn several verbs formed by adding prefixes to traer. These related verbs follow the same irregular patterns as their base verb. Once you know how to conjugate traer, you’ll be able to conjugate them with ease. Let’s get started!
TRAER IN THE PRESENT SIMPLE
In the presente simple, traer is irregular only with yo:
| PERSON | TRAER | TRANSLATION |
| YO | TRAIGO | I BRING |
| TÚ | TRAES | YOU BRING |
| USTED/ÉL/ELLA | TRAE | YOU (FORMAL)/HE/SHE BRINGS |
| NOSOTROS(AS) | TRAEMOS | WE BRING |
| VOSOTROS(AS) | TRAÉIS | YOU ALL BRING |
| USTEDES/ELLOS/ELLAS | TRAEN | YOU ALL/THEY BRING |
TRAER IN THE PASADO SIMPLE
The root changes to traj- and endings are irregular:
| PERSON | TRAER | TRANSLATION |
| YO | TRAJE | I BROUGHT |
| TÚ | TRAJISTE | YOU BROUGHT |
| USTED/ÉL/ELLA | TRAJO | YOU/HE/SHE BROUGHT |
| NOSOTROS(AS) | TRAJIMOS | WE BROUGHT |
| VOSOTROS(AS) | TRAJISTEIS | YOU ALL BROUGHT |
| USTEDES/ELLOS/ELLAS | TRAJERON | YOU ALL/THEY BROUGHT |
TRAER IN THE FUTURO SIMPLE
In this tense, traer is regular.
| PERSON | FORM | TRANSLATION |
| YO | TRAERÉ | I WILL BRING |
| TÚ | TRAERÁS | YOU WILL BRING |
| USTED/ÉL/ELLA | TRAERÁ | YOU (FORMAL)/HE/SHE WILL BRING |
| NOSOTROS(AS) | TRAEREMOS | WE WILL BRING |
| VOSOTROS(AS) | TRAERÉIS | YOU ALL WILL BRING |
| USTEDES/ELLOS/ELLAS | TRAERÁN | YOU ALL/THEY WILL BRING |
VERBS DERIVED FROM TRAER
Here are some verbs created by adding prefixes to traer:
| # | VERB | MEANING |
| 1 | atraer | to attract |
| 2 | contraer | to contract / TO UNDERTAKE, TO MAKE |
| 3 | CONTRAERSE | TO CONTRACT (ONESELF), TO SHRINK |
| 4 | distraer | to distract |
| 5 | DISTRAERSE | TO GET DISTRACTED |
| 6 | extraer | to extract |
| 7 | SUSTRAER | TO SUBTRACT/TO STEAL |
All these verbs share similar irregularities to traer. Example: atraer (to attract).
| PERSON | PRESENT | PAST |
| YO | ATRAIGO | ATRAJE |
| TÚ | ATRAES | ATRAJISTE |
| USTED/ÉL/ELLA | ATRAE | ATRAJO |
| NOSOTROS(AS) | ATRAEMOS | ATRAJIMOS |
| VOSOTROS(AS) | ATRAÉIS | ATRAJISTEIS |
| USTEDES/ELLOS/ELLAS | ATRAEN | ATRAJERON |
Let’s see a few examples:
1. Atraer — to attract
La música puede atraer a muchas personas.
Music can attract many people.
2. Contraer — to contract
a. Puedes contraer una enfermedad si no te cuidas.
You can contract an illness if you do not take care of yourself.
b. Contrajo un compromiso
He undertook a commitment.
3. Contraerse — to contract oneself / to shrink
El músculo puede contraerse durante el ejercicio.
The muscle can contract during exercise.
4. Distraer — to distract
El teléfono puede distraer a los estudiantes.
The phone can distract the students.
5. Distraerse — to get distracted
Yo me distraigo fácilmente con el ruido.
I get distracted easily by noise.
6. Extraer — to extract
El dentista tuvo que extraer una muela.
The dentist had to extract a tooth.
7. Sustraer — to subtract / to steal
a. Tú sustraes los gastos de tus ingresos.
You subtract the expenses from your income.
b. Alguien sustrajo dinero de la caja.
Someone stole money from the cash register.
Now, lets play this game!
