Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| levantar | /lebanˈtaɾ/ |
| alzar | /alˈθaɾ/ /alˈsaɾ/ |
The verb is used to mean causing something to rise. It is used in various idiomatic expressions, such as levantar la voz to mean to raise one's voice or levantar el vuelo to describe a plane or bird taking off. When referring to a salary increase, you may use the formal terms aumento, incremento or mejora salarial. Additionally, levantamiento is the term for a shoulder exercise.
Which one should you use?
While both verbs mean to raise or lift, levantar is the most common and versatile verb used in everyday Spanish. In contrast, alzar is often more formal, poetic or used in specific idiomatic expressions.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/lebanˈtaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid confusing levantar (to lift or raise something) with subir (to go up or move something to a higher level), as they are not interchangeable in all contexts.
Did you know?
- While levantar means 'to raise', the word levante refers to the east in Spanish. This is because the sun 'rises' in that direction.
- In some contexts, levantar is used to describe the act of 'picking up' a person for a romantic date. This is similar to the English slang 'picking someone up'.
- The term levantamiento can refer to a shoulder exercise, but it is also the standard word for a political uprising or 'revolt'.
Examples in context
- Empezó a levantar la voz.He began to raise his voice.This sentence shows how to use levantar regarding one's voice.Tatoeba #2266078 by cueyayotl, translation #2266077 by _undertoad
- El cobarde es el primero en levantar el puño.The coward is the first to raise his fist.This example uses levantar in the context of raising a fist.Tatoeba #1291809 by marcelostockle, translation #409202 by CM
- Dios provee el viento, pero el hombre debe alzar las velas.God provides the wind, but man must raise the sails.This sentence demonstrates the use of alzar in a more poetic or formal expression about raising sails.Tatoeba #1287518 by marcelostockle, translation #391856 by Scott
- Después de un año de trabajo dedicado, recibí un aumento en mi sueldo.After a year of dedicated work, I received a raise in my salary.
- La empresa anunció un incremento salarial para los empleados.The company announced a salary raise for the employees.
- El trabajo arduo y los logros alcanzados llevaron a una mejora salarial.Hard work and achieved goals led to a raise.
- ¡Genial! Me dieron una subida de sueldo en el trabajo.Great! I got a raise at work.
- Mi jefe me dio un aumentillo, pero al menos es algo.My boss gave me a little raise, but at least it's something.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “raise” translations and entries levantar, alzar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
