Inklingo
Dictionary

levantar

leh-vahn-tarleβanˈtaɾ

“levantar” means “lift” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

liftA1Verb

physical action of raising an object

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get upA1Verb

from bed or a chair

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buildB1Verb

a structure or monument

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lift, raiseAlso: pick up, hoist

VerbA1regular ar
A strong person lifting a heavy barbell above their head, demonstrating physical strength.
infinitivelevantar
gerundlevantando
past Participlelevantado

📝 In Action

Por favor, levanta la mano si tienes una pregunta.

A1

Please, raise your hand if you have a question.

El niño no pudo levantar la pesada caja de juguetes.

A2

The boy couldn't lift the heavy toy box.

Levantamos la bandera al amanecer.

B1

We raised the flag at dawn.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • levantar pesas – to lift weights
  • levantar la voz – to raise one's voice

get up, stand upAlso: wake up

VerbA1pronominal (levantarse) ar
A cartoon person cheerfully getting out of bed in the morning, standing up.
infinitivelevantarse
gerundlevantándose
past Participlelevantado

📝 In Action

Siempre me levanto a las seis de la mañana.

A1

I always get up at six in the morning.

Cuando entró el jefe, todos se levantaron.

A2

When the boss came in, everyone stood up.

¿Por qué no te has levantado todavía?

A2

Why haven't you gotten up yet?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ponerse de pie (to stand up)
  • despertarse (to wake up)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • levantarse tarde – to get up late
  • levantarse temprano – to get up early

build, erectAlso: gather, establish

VerbB1regular arneutral/formal
Mexico
A construction worker placing the final block on a small, newly built brick wall structure.
infinitivelevantar
gerundlevantando
past Participlelevantado

📝 In Action

Los obreros levantaron el nuevo edificio en solo seis meses.

B1

The workers built the new building in only six months.

El gobierno necesita levantar más fondos para el proyecto social.

B2

The government needs to raise more funds for the social project.

El director decidió levantar la prohibición de usar móviles.

C1

The director decided to lift (abolish) the ban on using cell phones.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • levantar un negocio – to start/establish a business
  • levantar sospechas – to raise suspicions

Indicative

Present

yolevanto
túlevantas
él/ella/ustedlevanta
nosotroslevantamos
vosotroslevantáis
ellos/ellas/ustedeslevantan

Imperfect

yolevantaba
túlevantabas
él/ella/ustedlevantaba
nosotroslevantábamos
vosotroslevantabais
ellos/ellas/ustedeslevantaban

Preterite

yolevanté
túlevantaste
él/ella/ustedlevantó
nosotroslevantamos
vosotroslevantasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedeslevantaron

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yolevante
túlevantes
él/ella/ustedlevante
nosotroslevantemos
vosotroslevantéis
ellos/ellas/ustedeslevanten

Imperfect Subjunctive

yolevantara
túlevantaras
él/ella/ustedlevantara
nosotroslevantáramos
vosotroslevantarais
ellos/ellas/ustedeslevantaran
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Often confused with alzarverbs
Often confused with levantarseverbs

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "levantar" in Spanish:

builderectestablishgatherhoistliftpick upraise

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: levantar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'levantar' in the reflexive form (levantarse)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
el levantamiento(the uprising/revolt) — Noun
la levantada(the act of getting up) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes
cantarhablar
📚 Etymology

From the Vulgar Latin *levitare*, meaning 'to lighten' or 'to raise,' which itself comes from the Latin word *levis* (light). The core idea has always been about making something go up.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: levareFrench: lever

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'levantar' and 'levantarse'?

'Levantar' (without the 'se') means to lift an object: 'Levanto mi mochila' (I lift my backpack). 'Levantarse' (with the 'se') means to lift yourself, usually to stand up or get out of bed: 'Me levanto a las 7' (I get up at 7).

Is 'levantar' regular or irregular?

'Levantar' is a completely regular verb. You can use the standard '-ar' endings for all tenses, which makes it easy to learn!