Inklingo

How to Say "get up" in Spanish

English → Spanish

levantar

/leh-vahn-tar//leβanˈtaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'levantar' when referring to the general act of getting out of bed in the morning or rising from a seated position as a standard action.
A cartoon person cheerfully getting out of bed in the morning, standing up.

Examples

Siempre me levanto a las seis de la mañana.

I always get up at six in the morning.

Cuando entró el jefe, todos se levantaron.

When the boss came in, everyone stood up.

¿Por qué no te has levantado todavía?

Why haven't you gotten up yet?

The Reflexive 'Se'

When you use 'levantarse,' the 'se' (or 'me, te, nos,' etc.) tells you that the person performing the action is also the one receiving it (you are lifting yourself).

Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun

Mistake: “Yo levanto a las ocho. (I lift [something] at eight.)”

Correction: Yo me levanto a las ocho. (I get myself up at eight.)

levántate

verbA1informal imperative
Use the imperative 'levántate' specifically when you are telling someone else to get out of bed or to wake up.

Examples

¡Levántate! Ya son las diez y el desayuno está listo.

Get up! It's already ten and breakfast is ready.

párate

verbA1informal imperative
Use the imperative 'párate' exclusively when telling someone to stand up from a sitting or lying position.

Examples

Párate de esa silla, por favor.

Stand up from that chair, please.

Imperative vs. General Action

Learners often confuse 'levantar' with its imperative forms 'levántate' and 'párate'. Remember that 'levantar' (without the '-te') describes the general action of getting up, while 'levántate' and 'párate' are commands directed at someone else.

Related Translations

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