Levantaba

Levantaba is a form of the Spanish verb levantar. It represents the imperfect indicative tense in the third person singular (él/ella/usted levantaba) and in the first person singular (yo levantaba). The imperfect is used to describe past actions that were ongoing, habitual, or provide background, rather than completed events.

In practice, levantaba signals routines or situations in the past, often without a clear end. It contrasts with the preterite levantó, which marks a completed action. For example, in narration, levantaba can describe what someone was doing over a period or what was happening around them.

Common uses include describing repeated past actions or states: "Yo levantaba la mano para hacer una pregunta," meaning I was raising my hand or I used to raise my hand. "Cada mañana, levantaba la persiana y entraba la luz," describing a habitual morning action. "Cuando era joven, levantaba pesas para fortalecer los brazos" expresses a past habit.

Etymology and related forms: levantaba derives from levantar, which comes from Latin levāre, meaning “to raise” or “to lift.” Related tense forms include levanto (present), levanté (preterite), and levantare/levantara in the present and past subjunctive, respectively. In reflexive contexts, such as to get up, the imperfect appears as me levantaba (I was getting up).

See also: levantar, levantarse, and the general concept of imperfect tense in Spanish.