What is the difference between "levantarme", "levantarse", "aumentar", "crecer", "escalar" in Spanish?

The English word 'to rise' has several Spanish translations, each used in different contexts. Choosing the right one depends on whether you're talking about an increase in quantity, a physical movement, or a change in status.

How to Say "to rise" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to rise” is “levantarme” — use this when referring to the physical act of getting out of bed or standing up from a seated or lying position..

levantarme🔊A1

Use this when referring to the physical act of getting out of bed or standing up from a seated or lying position.

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levantarse🔊A1

This is specifically used for the act of getting up, particularly in the morning, implying a routine of waking and rising.

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aumentar🔊B1

Use this to describe an increase in quantity, volume, or intensity, such as prices, levels, or amounts.

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crecer🔊B2

This applies to growth, development, or an increase in something abstract like demand, or literal growth like a plant or child.

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escalar🔊B2

Choose this when referring to moving up in a hierarchy, such as in a job, social status, or a competition.

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English → Spanish

levantarme

leh-vahn-TAR-meh/leβanˈtaɾme/

verbA1general

Use this when referring to the physical act of getting out of bed or standing up from a seated or lying position.

A young person sitting on the edge of a simple bed, stretching their arms high above their head, symbolizing the act of waking up and getting out of bed.

Examples

Necesito levantarme a las seis para tomar el tren.

I need to get up at six to catch the train.

No puedo levantarme, la silla es muy baja.

I can't stand up; the chair is very low.

Quiero levantarme y estirar las piernas un poco.

I want to get up and stretch my legs a little.

The attached 'me'

The 'me' at the end tells you that I am doing the action to myself. The base verb is 'levantar' (to lift something else), but 'levantarme' is 'to lift myself' (to get up).

When to attach the pronoun

The pronoun 'me' is attached to the end of the verb when the verb is in the infinitive (like here) or the affirmative command form: '¡Levántate!' (Get up!).

Forgetting the 'me'

Mistake: “Yo necesito levantar mi cama.”

Correction: Yo necesito levantarme. If you say 'levantar,' it means you are lifting something else (like a box or a blanket), not yourself.

See full entry for “levantarme” →

levantarse

leh-bahn-TAHR-seh/leβanˈtaɾse/

verbA1general

This is specifically used for the act of getting up, particularly in the morning, implying a routine of waking and rising.

A cheerful person with messy hair sitting on the edge of a colorful bed, stretching their arms upward after waking up.

Examples

Me levanto a las siete todos los días.

I get up at seven every day.

Por favor, levántate, la reunión va a empezar.

Please, stand up, the meeting is going to start.

¿A qué hora se levantan ustedes los fines de semana?

What time do you all get up on the weekends?

Reflexive Action

This verb is reflexive, meaning the action comes back to the person doing it (I lift myself). That's why we must use the little pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os) before the verb.

Stem Change

In the present tense, the 'e' in the stem changes to 'ie' (levantar → lievanta) for most subjects, but not for 'nosotros' or 'vosotros'.

Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun

Mistake: “Yo levanto a las siete. (I lift something at seven.)”

Correction: Yo me levanto a las siete. (I get myself up at seven.)

See full entry for “levantarse” →

aumentar

ow-men-TAR/aw.menˈtaɾ/

verbB1general

Use this to describe an increase in quantity, volume, or intensity, such as prices, levels, or amounts.

A tiny green seedling emerging from the earth positioned right next to a mature, large green plant, symbolizing growth in size.

Examples

El nivel del río aumentó después de la lluvia.

The river level rose after the rain.

La población ha aumentado dramáticamente en la última década.

The population has grown dramatically in the last decade.

El costo de la vida sigue aumentando.

The cost of living keeps rising.

Intransitive Use (No Direct Object)

In this sense, 'aumentar' is intransitive. The subject of the sentence (e.g., 'the river level') is the thing that is doing the increasing, and no other person or thing is causing the action.

The Role of 'Se' (Aumentarse)

Sometimes you will see 'aumentarse' (reflexive form) when the increase is perceived as happening automatically or affecting the subject directly, especially related to personal things like family or weight: 'Mi familia se ha aumentado' (My family has grown).

Misusing 'Crecer'

Mistake: “El precio creció. (The price grew.)”

Correction: El precio aumentó. (The price increased.) – 'Crecer' is usually for living things (people, plants); 'aumentar' is better for numbers, prices, and abstract concepts.

See full entry for “aumentar” →

crecer

kreh-SEHR/kɾeˈseɾ/

verbB2general

This applies to growth, development, or an increase in something abstract like demand, or literal growth like a plant or child.

A simple, clear glass jar half-filled with bright blue water, with a stream of water pouring into the jar from above, increasing the water level.

Examples

La demanda de energía solar ha crecido exponencialmente.

The demand for solar energy has grown exponentially.

El nivel del agua creció tras la tormenta.

The water level rose after the storm.

See full entry for “crecer” →

escalar

/es-kah-LAHR//eskaˈlaɾ/

verbB2general

Choose this when referring to moving up in a hierarchy, such as in a job, social status, or a competition.

A person in a professional suit stepping up onto a golden pedestal higher than the others.

Examples

Ella logró escalar posiciones rápidamente en la empresa.

She managed to rise through the ranks quickly in the company.

Queremos escalar nuestro modelo de negocio a otros países.

We want to scale our business model to other countries.

See full entry for “escalar” →

Physical vs. Abstract Rising

The most common confusion is between 'aumentar'/'crecer' (for abstract increases) and 'levantarse'/'levantarme' (for physical getting up). Remember, if something is going up in number or level, use 'aumentar' or 'crecer'. If you are physically getting out of bed or up from a seat, use 'levantarse' or 'levantarme'.

Related Translations

to grow→to increase→scalar→to boost→to climb→to escalate→to expand→to raise→

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