A comprehensive explanation of the differences between the Spanish verbs “levantar” and “levantarse,” including meanings, uses, reflexive forms, example sentences, and common mistakes.
In Spanish, the verbs levantar and levantarse are related but have different meanings and uses. Levantar is a transitive verb meaning “to lift” or “to raise” something, while levantarse is a reflexive verb meaning “to get up” or “to rise” oneself. Understanding the difference between these forms is key to using them correctly in context.
Meaning and Usage
The main difference between levantar and levantarse lies in who is performing the action and whether it is reflexive:
- Levantar: to lift, raise, or pick up something (someone or something else). It is not reflexive and requires a direct object.
- Levantarse: to get oneself up, stand up, or rise. It is reflexive, meaning the subject performs the action on themselves.
Examples
Here are some examples to illustrate the difference:
| Levantar (to lift/raise) | Levantarse (to get up) |
|---|---|
| Yo levanto la caja. (I lift the box.) | Yo me levanto a las seis. (I get up at six.) |
| Ella levanta a su hijo. (She lifts her son.) | Ella se levanta temprano. (She gets up early.) |
| ¿Puedes levantar la mesa? (Can you lift the table?) | Me gusta levantarme con música. (I like to get up with music.) |
Which sentence means 'I lift the box' in Spanish?
Yo levanto la caja.
"Levantar" is used to lift something else, so "Yo levanto la caja" is correct. The reflexive form is not used here.
Reflexive Pronouns
When using levantarse, you must include the appropriate reflexive pronoun that matches the subject:
- Yo me levanto
- Tú te levantas
- Él/Ella/Usted se levanta
- Nosotros/as nos levantamos
- Vosotros/as os levantáis
- Ellos/as/Ustedes se levantan
Common Mistakes
- Missing the reflexive pronoun with levantarse:
✗ Yo levanto a las seis.
✓ *Yo me levanto a las seis.
- Using levantarse to mean “lift” (instead of “get up”):
✗ Me levanto la caja.
✓ *Levanto la caja.
- Confusing object and subject roles:
✗ Me levanto a mi hijo. (I get myself up my son.)
✓ Levanto a mi hijo. (I lift my son.)
✓ Mi hijo se levanta. (My son gets up.)
Summary
- Levantar = to lift, raise, or pick up something else.
- Levantarse = to get oneself up or rise.
- Use the reflexive pronoun with levantarse (me, te, se, nos, os, se).
- Pay attention to who is doing the action and who is receiving it.
By understanding the difference between levantar and levantarse, you can describe actions more precisely and avoid common errors.
Which of the following best summarizes the difference between 'levantar' and 'levantarse'?
'Levantar' means to lift something else; 'levantarse' means to get oneself up using reflexive pronouns.
The main point is that "levantar" lifts others or objects, while "levantarse" is reflexive and means getting oneself up.
Last updated: Thu Jun 5, 2025
