Both lever and soulever mean to lift or raise, but with distinct nuances:
- lever: Focuses on rising, getting up, or raising something, often used reflexively (se lever = to get up).
- soulever: Implies lifting something heavy or causing an emotional/intellectual reaction (e.g., soulever des questions).
Lever
'Lever' is used to mean 'to raise' or 'to get up.'
lever (verb): to raise, to lift, to get up (when reflexive)
- Used for raising objects or non-physical things (e.g., raising a hand, lifting a barrier, raising a problem).
- Commonly used in its reflexive form se lever for "to get up" or "to stand up."
Examples:
- Il lève la main. (He raises his hand.)
- Nous levons les barrières. (We raise the barriers.)
- Elle se lève à sept heures. (She gets up at seven.)
The correct reflexive form for 'to get up' is 'se lever.'
'lever' is used for raising or getting up, not for heavy lifting or causing a stir.
Soulever
'soulever' can also mean to provoke emotions or debates.
soulever (verb): to lift (usually something heavy), to raise (a question, an issue), to stir up
- Implies lifting with effort or raising something substantial.
- Can be used figuratively for raising issues, questions, or emotions.
Examples:
- Il soulève des poids à la salle de sport. (He lifts weights at the gym.)
- Ce discours soulève beaucoup de questions. (This speech raises a lot of questions.)
- Elle a soulevé une polémique. (She stirred up a controversy.)
'soulever' is used for heavy lifting and metaphorically for raising issues or emotions.
Conclusion
While lever and soulever both involve lifting or raising, lever is for everyday raising and getting up (se lever), and soulever is for lifting with effort or stirring up (both literally and figuratively).
- lever = to raise/get up (ordinary or daily contexts)
- soulever = to lift with effort, to stir up (literal and metaphorical)