Lever means “to lift” or “to raise” something, while se lever means “to get up” (oneself). Lever is transitive; se lever is reflexive.
Root Meaning
Both lever and se lever come from the Latin levāre, meaning “to raise” or “to lift.” They share the same root but differ in usage.
Usage of Lever
- Lever is a transitive verb that requires a direct object (something being lifted or raised).
- It can be used in literal or figurative contexts.
Examples
- Lever la main — to raise one’s hand
- Lever un poids — to lift a weight
- Lever le drapeau — to raise the flag
- Lever des fonds — to raise funds
Usage of Se Lever
- Se lever is a pronominal (reflexive) verb.
- It means “to get oneself up” or “to rise” from a lying or sitting position.
- Commonly used to talk about waking up and getting out of bed.
Examples
- Je me lève à 7 heures. — I get up at 7 o’clock.
- Elle s’est levée tard. — She got up late.
- Nous nous levons tôt. — We get up early.
Negation Patterns
- Lever: subject + ne + lever + pas + object
- Se lever: subject + ne + se + lever + pas
Examples
- Je ne lève pas la main. — I don’t raise my hand.
- Il ne se lève pas tôt. — He doesn’t get up early.
Common Expressions with Lever
| French Expression | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| lever la main | raise one’s hand |
| lever le camp | clear out, leave |
| lever le pied | slow down |
| lever les yeux | look up |
| lever un lièvre | raise a difficult question |
Summary
- lever = to lift/raise (something)
- se lever = to get up (oneself)
- lever is transitive; se lever is reflexive.
- Their meanings diverge due to se lever’s reflexive pronoun se, indicating the subject acts on itself.
Flashcards (1 of 5)
- English Meaning: raise one’s hand
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
