Use of llevar vs. usar - Prefer native Spanish speakers?

In Spain, the use of "llevar" as a meaning of wear is totally correct. Maybe in latin america they use "usar" instead. I would use "usar" when it carries a reason or an explanation with it.

Usé unas botas para protegerme de la lluvia.

Usé una bufanda para protegerme del frío

Usó un jersey rojo para llamar la atención

but

La novia llevaba un vestido muy bonito (never would use usar)

Llevaba unos pantalones verdes (if you had used "usaba", people would ask you: Para qué los usaba?")

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RE:

Use of llevar vs. usar - Prefer native Spanish speakers?

Hi,

I am not a native Spanish speaker as you will immediately see. When I use conjugations of "llevar" for wear, some native speakers look at me like I'm some kind of mutant species :-) and others kindly tell me that I should use "usar." Would some of you native Spanish...

It is probably regional preference, since the two are in most cases synonyms. It might depend on what you are talking about wearing. Clothing? Glasses? Shoes? An underwater oxygen tank?

And don't forget about the possibility of using the word 'vestir' or 'llevar puesto'.

I think they are just giving you a hard time. Remember to use whatever word the critics suggest when you are around them, but don't assume it is universally preferable, or that wear means the same thing in all contexts.

To comment on the particular usage you are asking about, we would need to know what it was.

The use of the verb "llevar" comes from the compound verb "llevar puesto", that is, to wear. Que llevas puesto? Llevo una falda roja.

But usually, in a more informal way, people would use the verb "usar" to mean "to wear". Que ropa usaste en la fiesta?

What did you wear at the party? Use un pantalon azul y una blusa blanca. I wore blue pants and a white blouse.

Llevar puesto= more formal

Usar= less formal

well, for wear you can use "llevar" but also add the participle for "poner"-- so you should say "llevo una camiseta puesta" for I am wearing a t-shirt.

but, for the past or future you should use "usar".. example: use unos pantalones azules. (you can use it in present tense also).

you must understand that there are a lot of regional preference, so allways if you use a phrase in one way maybe spanish speakers will not understand.. because in their countries is different.

"Llevar puesto" is the common way to say "usar".

For example ...

"Llevo puesto un sombrero" and

"Estoy usando un sombrero" ... refer to the same thing.

"Llevo un sombrero" would imply that you're carrying it either on your hand, your car, etc. , but not having it on your body, in this case your head.

llevar=bring

usar=use

Can you write a sentence to see why they give that look lol