Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Brought in Spanish: Traje
Traje · verb · TRAH-heh
The past tense 'brought' translates to 'traje' (I brought) from the irregular verb 'traer' (to bring). A key challenge for learners is that 'traje' also means 'suit' (clothing) as a separate noun, creating a homophone situation. Additionally, Spanish distinguishes between 'traer' (bring toward speaker) and 'llevar' (bring/take away from speaker), a distinction English does not make.
Pronounce 'traje' as TRAH-heh, where the 'j' has the Spanish guttural 'h' sound (like the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'). Stress is on the first syllable.
Te traje un regalo de mi viaje.
I brought you a gift from my trip.
Brought in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for brought, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| traje | brought | TRAH-heh | Default, widely understood |
| llevé | brought | brought (carried away from speaker) | |
| trajeron | brought | they brought (third person plural) |
How Native Speakers Use Traje
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Gift giving
Mi abuela trajo comida para todos.
My grandmother brought food for everyone.
Third person singular past tense.
Carrying items
¿Trajiste las llaves del coche?
Did you bring the car keys?
Second person past tense question.
Group action
Los invitados trajeron vino y postres a la fiesta.
The guests brought wine and desserts to the party.
Third person plural usage.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Traje
Confusing traer with llevar
Incorrect: Traje el paquete a la oficina de correos.
Correct: Llevé el paquete a la oficina de correos.
When moving something AWAY from the speaker's current location, 'llevar' (to take/carry) is correct. 'Traer' implies movement TOWARD the speaker or the speaker's reference point.
Regular conjugation attempt
Incorrect: Yo traí las compras.
Correct: Yo traje las compras.
The verb 'traer' is highly irregular in the preterite tense. Its correct stem changes to 'traj-' (traje, trajiste, trajo, trajimos, trajisteis, trajeron), not following any regular pattern.
Lock in Brought Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Traje used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using traje in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Te traje un regalo de mi viaje. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Brought in Spanish
- Why does 'traje' mean both 'brought' and 'suit'?
- These are two completely unrelated words that happen to be spelled and pronounced identically (homographs). 'Traje' as 'brought' comes from the verb 'traer,' while 'traje' as 'suit' derives from a different Latin root. Context always makes the intended meaning clear to native speakers.
- When should I use 'traer' versus 'llevar' for 'bring'?
- Use 'traer' when something is coming toward you or toward your reference point (Bring it here / Tráelo aquí). Use 'llevar' when something is going away from you or your reference point (I brought it to her house / Lo llevé a su casa). Think of 'traer' as 'bring here' and 'llevar' as 'take there.'
- How do I conjugate 'traer' in the full preterite?
- The preterite conjugation is completely irregular: traje (I), trajiste (you informal), trajo (he/she/you formal), trajimos (we), trajisteis (you plural Spain), trajeron (they/you plural). Notice the stem 'traj-' replaces the infinitive root throughout, and no accents appear on any form.