Levar vs Demorar: Time Expressions
Both levar and demorar can express duration, but they differ in structure. Levar takes a direct object (leva duas horas); demorar is intransitive or reflexive and often implies delay.
PortuStories Editorial
European Portuguese Grammar Guide
Levar is transitive — it takes the time period as its direct object. It is used to state how long a journey, process, or activity takes.
A viagem leva duas horas.
The journey takes two hours.
Levou três dias a resolver o problema.
It took three days to solve the problem.
Levar + a + infinitive in EP.
Demorar is intransitive or reflexive and often emphasises delay, slowness, or taking longer than expected.
A reunião demorou mais do que o previsto.
The meeting took longer than expected.
Não te demores!
Don't take long! / Don't dawdle!
Reflexive demorar-se = to linger, to be slow.
Use levar for a neutral statement of duration. Use demorar when there is an implication of delay, slowness, or that something took too long.
From a PortuStories Story
O comboio leva quarenta minutos, mas às vezes demora uma hora por causa de atrasos.
The train takes forty minutes, but sometimes it takes an hour because of delays.