These four guys are terrible, they are easy to mix up and misuse.
And let’s be true, a very large percentage of French do NOT use them properly… that tells a lot about the confusion!
1 – Porter Vs. Mener
“Porter” means “to carry.” It is used with things which can’t move by themselves. You need to carry them, be it in a car or whatever means of transportation.
“Mener” means to “guide.” The etymology goes back to the X th century : accompany someone while directing him/her. I relates to all persons (usually including the ones that can’t move by themselves like babies) and animals as long as they can “walk” by themselves.
2 – EMmener Vs Amener and EMporter Vs Apporter
You use A mener or A pporter when you bring along someone or something to the place you’re coming to.
You use EM mener or EM porter when you take a thing or a person with you from the place you are to another place.
Did I lose you? Don’t be surprised.
Now, let’s make if K.I.S.S. compatible 😉
Many – MANY – French use amener and emmener all the time instead of apporter and emporter. Even if you speak correctly, you WILL hear them make the mistake, so be ready and expect it.
My proposition is that you do it wrong too!!!
Choose Amener et Emmener, it’s the way the mistake is usually made.
Now these two words don’t sound very differently, actually, and the French make that mistake too. Let’s go for the not very good but ten times simpler way: use either one and any French will understand you.
Conclusion: in all cases Amener OR Emmener will do the trick. The distinction will come later, with time.