levantar

Levantar is a Spanish verb with several core meanings centered on the idea of bringing something from a lower to a higher position. It is used for physical actions, such as levantar una caja or levantar un objeto, as well as for positioning, like levantar un techo or levantar la mano to indicate a question or participation. The verb also appears in figurative expressions such as levantar interés or levantar sospechas, meaning to arouse or provoke something. In everyday speech, it can also denote starting movement, activity, or a change in state, for example levantar un proyecto or levantar el ánimo of someone.

Reflexive use is common in daily Spanish: levantarse means to get up from bed or to rise. Conjugation follows regular -ar verb patterns in its non-reflexive forms (levanto, levantas, levanta, levantamos, levantáis, levantan) and in the reflexive form (me levanto, te levantas, se levanta, nos levantamos, os levantáis, se levantan). The preterite forms are levanté, levantaste, levantó, levantamos, levantasteis, levantaron, and imperfectos such as levantaba, levantabas, levantaba, etc., are used to describe past habitual actions.

Etymology and related forms: levant ar derives from Latin levāre, meaning to raise or lighten, through Old Spanish. It is cognate with similar verbs in other Romance languages, such as Portuguese levantar. The noun levantamiento refers to an act of lifting or an uprising, and related terms include levantador (one who lifts) and levantable (liftable).

See also: common phrases like levantar la mano, levantar objetos, and levantamiento as a noun for situations involving ascent, raising, or revolt.