Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| lever | /lə.ve/ |
| élever | /el.ve/ /ɛl.ve/ |
| ériger | /e.ʁi.ʒe/ |
The English verb 'to raise' has several different meanings in French, so you must choose the word based on what you are making rise. You use lever for physical lifting, élever for upbringing or breeding and ériger for construction. If you are referring to a 'raise' in the sense of an increase in wages, the related noun is augmentation.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends entirely on the object being raised. Use lever when the subject is physically lifting an object or a part of their own body. Use élever when the meaning refers to bringing up children, breeding animals or raising one's level or standards. Use ériger specifically when the context is the construction or erection of a monument, statue or building.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In France, the idiom mettre du beurre dans les épinards is used to mean improving one's livelihood or financial situation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When raising one's own body part, the reflexive form se lever is often used, such as se lever for standing up.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of lever is /lə.ve/. It has 2 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use élever to mean 'to raise money or funds'. Instead, use collecter des fonds or récolter des fonds.
Did you know?
- The verb lever is used in the expression lever le coude, which literally means 'to raise the elbow' but figuratively means to drink a lot of alcohol.
- The French word for 'student', élève, comes from the verb élever, implying that a student is someone who is being raised or lifted up intellectually.
- The word lever shares a common ancestor with the English word 'levity', which refers to a lightness of character or mood.
Examples in context
- Il a appris à élever du bétail.He learned how to raise cattle.This sentence shows how to use élever for raising livestock.Tatoeba #352829 by Barbiche0, translation #295254 by CK
- Je ne peux pas lever le bras droit.I can't raise my right arm.This sentence uses lever to describe lifting a body part.Tatoeba #8435537 by Aiji, translation #2806245 by AlanF_US
- Tom fut le premier à lever sa main.Tom was the first one to raise his hand.This sentence uses lever to describe lifting a hand.Tatoeba #10812445 by Sorasama, translation #5915392 by CK
- Mon employeur m'a accordé une augmentation salariale cette année.My employer granted me a raise this year.
- La revalorisation des salaires est une priorité pour l'entreprise.Salary increase is a priority for the company.
- J'espère vraiment que mon patron va augmenter mon salaire bientôt.I really hope my boss will give me a raise soon.
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are preparing a table for dinner.
- NathanPeux-tu m'aider à lever ce plateau ?Can you help me raise this tray?
- EmmaOui, je le tiens avec toi.Yes, I'll hold it with you.
- NathanMerci, il faut le lever un peu plus.Thanks, we need to raise it a bit more.
- EmmaC'est bon, c'est maintenant à la bonne hauteur.It's good, it is at the right height now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “raise” translations and entries lever, élever, ériger, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lever, élever, ériger, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
