1 - porter ≠ mener : things ≠ people/animals
The verb “porter” means to carry, so it’s used with inanimate objects.- Je porte ma valise – I carry my suitcase.
- J’emporte mon parapluie en voyage – I’m taking my umbrella on my trip.
- J’apporte une bouteille chez mon ami – I’m bringing a bottle to my friend’s house.
The verb “mener” means to lead, so it’s used with animate beings: people and animals.
- Napoléon mène ses armées – Napoleon leads his armies.
- J’emmène mon bébé au restaurant – I’m bringing my infant to the restaurant.
- J’amène ma fille à l’école – I’m taking my daughter to school.
2 - to leave at destination or stay with = the prefixes A and Em
Then, question to ask is whether you are accompanying, staying with the person, or keeping the thing with you, OR if you are just dropping it/him/her, leaving it/him/her at destination.- The prefixe “A” in French means that you are going to leave the thing/person there. This is the idea behind “amener” and “apporter”.
- The prefixe “Em” in French means you are staying with the thing/person. This is the idea behind “emmener” and “emporter”.
3 - Contrast
- J’emporte mon parapluie en voyage – I’m taking my umbrella on my trip. (It’s a thing and it's staying with me)
- J’emmène mon bébé au restaurant – I’m taking my infant to the restaurant. (He/she is a person and I am staying with him/her)
- J’apporte une bouteille chez mon ami – I’m bringing a bottle to my friend’s house . (It's a thing and I'm leaving it there)
- J’amène ma fille à l’école – I’m taking my daughter to school. (She's a person and I am droping her there)
4 - Remark...
Unfortunately, just like in English with bring and take, you will hear many mistakes... "amener, emmener" tends to be used more and more for people (as it should) AND things.
5 - More expressions
- Remporter – to win a competition.
Il a remporté la finale. He won the final match. - Rapporter – to bring something back, to return something.
Je dois rapporter le livre à la bibliothèque. I have to return the book at the library. - La nourriture à emporter – take-out food
Il vend des pizzas à emporter. He sells pizzas to take out. - Ramener – to take someone to their home/hotel, to give someone a ride home.
Tu veux que je te ramène ? Would you like me to give you a ride home? - Porter – to wear + clothing.
Je porte une jupe. I am wearing a skirt. - Tu t’amènes ? – slang – are you coming?
On se casse, tu t’amènes ? We’re leaving, are you coming with us?
