The Spanish verb 'importar' (to import) comes from the Latin word 'importare', which meant 'to bring in' or 'to import'. The Latin 'importare' was formed by combining two elements: the prefix 'in-' meaning 'into, in' and the verb 'portare' meaning 'to carry'. So literally, the word meant 'to carry into' before evolving into its current meaning of importing goods or materials from one place to another.

Several common Spanish words share the Latin root 'portare' (to carry). These include 'portar' (to carry, bear), 'deportar' (to deport), 'exportar' (to export), 'transportar' (to transport), and 'reportar' (to report). All these words involve some form of carrying or moving something, whether physically or figuratively.

Many English words are related to 'importar' through the same Latin roots. The most obvious is 'import' itself, but also 'porter' (one who carries luggage), 'portable' (able to be carried), 'port' (a harbor where goods are carried in), 'export', 'transport', and 'report'. The 'port-' element in all these words maintains its original connection to carrying or moving something.