Spanish Phrase
¿Puedo llevar a alguien?
Meaning
The speaker is politely asking if they are allowed to bring another person with them. It can refer to bringing a guest to a restaurant, a companion to an event, or a passenger on a vehicle.
When to use
Use this question when you need explicit permission to have a third party join you—e.g., at a restaurant reservation, a concert ticket, a guided tour, or when a host has set a limit on the number of attendees.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Puedollevaraalguien?
Puedo (present of poder)
Puedo is the first‑person singular present of poder, used to ask for permission or express ability.
llevar (infinitive)
Llevar means ‘to take, to bring, to carry’. In this construction it follows poder to form a verb phrase.
Personal ‘a’
When the direct object is a specific person or an indefinite person (alguien), Spanish uses the personal ‘a’ before it.
alguien (indefinite pronoun)
Alguien means ‘someone’ or ‘somebody’. It is a pronoun that always takes the personal ‘a’ when it is the direct object.
🗨In Conversation
¿Puedo llevar a alguien?
Can I bring someone?
Sí, no hay problema. ¿Cuántas personas serán en total?
Sure, no problem. How many people will there be in total?
✕Common Mistakes
¿Puedo llevar alguien?
Missing the personal ‘a’ before a person; Spanish requires ‘a’ before ‘alguien’ as a direct object.
¿Puedo traer a alguien?
While ‘traer’ is correct, many learners mix up ‘llevar’ and ‘traer’ based on perspective. Use ‘llevar’ when you are the one moving away from the place, ‘traer’ when moving toward the listener.
↔Alternatives
¿Puedo traer a alguien?
Can I bring someone?
¿Me permite que traiga a alguien?
May I bring someone?
¿Está bien si llevo a una persona extra?
Is it okay if I bring an extra person?
Cultural Tip
In Spanish‑speaking countries it is common to ask for permission before adding a guest, especially in formal settings like restaurants or events. Using the polite form (¿Puedo…? or ¿Me permite…?) shows respect. In informal contexts with friends you might simply say “¿Traigo a alguien?” without the formal “¿Puedo…?”. Also remember the personal ‘a’ before a person; omitting it sounds unnatural to native ears.