Spanish Phrase
Me lo llevo.
Meaning
‘Me lo llevo’ means ‘I’ll take it (with me)’ or ‘I’m taking it away.’ The speaker is indicating that they will remove a specific masculine object from the current place, either literally (a book, a plate) or figuratively (an idea, a responsibility).
When to use
Use this phrase when you decide to take something for yourself, especially in informal conversation: at a shop, a restaurant, a friend’s house, or when you’re packing up belongings. It can also appear in figurative contexts, such as ‘Me lo llevo’ meaning ‘I’ll claim the credit.’
✦Grammar Breakdown
Melollevo
Me (indirect object pronoun)
First‑person singular indirect object pronoun; indicates that the action benefits the speaker.
Lo (direct object pronoun)
Third‑person masculine singular direct object pronoun; replaces a masculine noun that is being taken.
Llevo (present of llevar)
First‑person singular present of the verb llevar ‘to carry, to take’. When combined with ‘me lo’, it functions as the pronominal verb llevarse ‘to take away’.
🗨In Conversation
¿Te gusta este souvenir?
Do you like this souvenir?
Sí, me lo llevo.
Yes, I’ll take it.
✕Common Mistakes
Yo lo llevo.
Missing the indirect pronoun ‘me’; the phrase must reflect that the action benefits the speaker.
Me la llevo.
Use ‘lo’ for masculine objects; ‘la’ would be for a feminine noun.
Me lo llevo mañana.
If you want future meaning, use the future tense: ‘Me lo llevaré.’
↔Alternatives
Me lo llevo conmigo.
I’ll take it with me.
Lo llevo.
I’ll take it.
Me lo llevo ya.
I’m taking it now.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, ‘llevarse’ can carry a subtle sense of ownership or personal claim. Saying ‘Me lo llevo’ in a shared setting (like a family dinner) signals that you’re removing the item for your own use, which can be polite if you ask first. The phrase can also be used figuratively, e.g., ‘Me lo llevo’ meaning ‘I’ll take the credit,’ so context is key.