Levar vs. carregar
In Portuguese, while both levar and carregar can be translated as "to carry", they describe different aspects of the action. Generally, levar focuses on the movement from one place to another (the destination), whereas carregar focuses on the physical effort of holding the weight (the burden).
Levar
A1This word is used when the focus is on transporting something from point A to point B. It is synonymous with "to take". You use levar when the destination or the mere fact of having the item with you is more important than the physical weight.
Eu vou levar as caixas para a garagem.
(I will carry the boxes to the garage.)
Você pode levar estes pratos para a cozinha?
(Can you carry these plates to the kitchen?)
Ela sempre leva um guarda-chuva na bolsa.
(She always carries an umbrella in her purse.)
Não esqueça de levar o passaporte com você.
(Do not forget to carry the passport with you.)
Nós vamos levar as compras para o carro.
(We will carry the groceries to the car.)
Carregar
A2This word is used when the focus is on physically supporting the weight of an object or person. It implies lifting, bearing a burden, or the effort required to hold something up. It is synonymous with "to bear" or "to load".
Ele teve que carregar o sofá pesado sozinho.
(He had to carry the heavy sofa alone.)
A mãe gosta de carregar o bebê no colo.
(The mother likes to carry the baby in her lap.)
Não consigo carregar tantos livros de uma vez.
(I cannot carry so many books at once.)
O burro carregava sacos de areia.
(The donkey carried bags of sand.)
Eles carregaram o piano escada acima.
(They carried the piano up the stairs.)
Summary
To summarize, choose levar when you are talking about taking an object to a specific place or having it along with you. Choose carregar when you are emphasizing the physical exertion, the weight, or the act of lifting and holding the object.