levántate
/lebantate/from spelling rules
In Spanish, to get up is said as levántate.
While levántate specifically means to rise from a seated or lying position, it is the standard way to tell someone to get out of bed.
Meaning: to rise from one's bed (verb)
Which one should you use?
If you want to tell someone to 'wake up' (open their eyes) rather than 'get up' (physically leave the bed), use despiértate.
How does it change in a sentence?
To command a group of people to get up, use the plural form levántense.
How do you pronounce it?
/lebantate/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish speaking countries, levantar can be used as slang to mean 'picking up' or flirting with someone to start a romantic encounter.
- The word levante refers to a specific, strong wind in the Mediterranean region, derived from the same root of 'rising' or 'lifting'.
- The verb levantar is the same word used in the expression levantar el ánimo, which means to 'raise someone's spirits' or 'cheer someone up'.
Examples in context
- Levántate. Es muy tarde.Do get up, it's very late.The first sentence uses levántate to urge someone to rise because it is late.Tatoeba #508706 by Shishir, translation #20092 by fishda
- Levántate, que llegarás tarde.Get up. You're going to be late.The second sentence uses levántate to warn that someone will be late.Tatoeba #8329405 by arh, translation #9814492 by DJ_Saidez
- Levántate tan pronto como puedas.Get up as early as you can.The third sentence uses levántate to instruct someone to rise as early as possible.Tatoeba #789009 by Shishir, translation #39525 by CK
- Señora, por favor levánteseMadam, please get up
- Señor, es hora de despertarseSir, it's time to get up
- Amigo, levántate y vamosFriend, get up and let's go
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena is trying to wake Alejandro up on a Saturday morning.
- Elena¡Levántate, Alejandro! Ya es mediodía.Get up, Alejandro! It is already noon.
- AlejandroCinco minutos más, por favor.Five more minutes, please.
- ElenaNo, levántate ahora mismo.No, get up right now.
- AlejandroEstá bien, ya me levanto.Okay, I am getting up now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
