In French, the verbs apporter / emporter and amener / emmener are used to talk about movement, but you need to pay attention to two things:
what is being moved (object or person) and the direction (towards or away from a place).
1. Apporter / Emporter (with things, objects)
These two verbs are used with objects.
Apporter = to bring something to the place where the speaker is.
Emporter = to take something with you when leaving a place.
- Je t’apporte un cadeau. (I’m bringing you a gift.)
- Tu apportes le dessert à la fête ? (Are you bringing dessert to the party?)
- Elle emporte son parapluie. (She’s taking her umbrella with her.)
- Nous emportons les valises. (We’re taking the suitcases with us.)
2. Amener / Emmener (with people or animals)
These two verbs are used with people or animals.
Amener = to bring someone/something to a place.
Emmener = to take someone/something away with you.
- Je t’amène mon frère. (I’m bringing my brother to you.)
- Il amène son fils à l’école. (He brings his son to school.)
- Elle emmène sa grand-mère chez le médecin. (She’s taking her grandmother to the doctor.)
- Nous emmenons notre chien en vacances. (We’re taking our dog on vacation.)
3. Summary
- Apporter = object → bringing it here
- Emporter = object → taking it away
- Amener = person/animal → bringing them here
- Emmener = person/animal → taking them away