What does it mean word for word?
Literally, levanta la mano means "raise the hand".
Which one should you use?
While levanta la mano is the standard way to give this command, you may encounter different forms depending on how many people you are addressing or the level of respect required.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, you might hear the alternative phrase alzar la mano instead of using the verb levantar.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes based on who you are talking to. To address a single person informally, use levanta la mano. For a single person formally, use levante la mano. If you are addressing a group of people, such as an entire classroom, use the plural imperative form levanten la mano.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying levanta tu mano. While English speakers often try to translate "your" literally as tu, it is much more natural in Spanish to use the definite article la when referring to body parts.
Did you know?
- The word mano shares an etymological connection with the word for 'brother', which is hermano, as it may have originated as a shortened version of the latter.
- In very informal slang in some countries, calling someone mano is equivalent to saying 'dude' or 'guy'.
- In a card game, a mano is not a body part but refers to a 'round' or a 'hand' of play.
Examples in context
- Levanta la mano antes de responder.Raise your hand before you answer.This sentence demonstrates the use of levanta la mano to instruct someone to act before responding.Tatoeba #1332467 by Shishir, translation #265925 by CK
- Levanta la mano si tienes alguna pregunta.Raise your hand if you have a question.This sentence shows how to use levanta la mano to provide instructions for asking questions.Tatoeba #2629618 by Shishir, translation #265028 by CK
- Levanta la mano y pide permiso si necesitas salir de la clase.Raise your hand and ask for permission if you need to leave the classroom.This sentence illustrates using levanta la mano when asking for permission to leave a room.Tatoeba #1129650 by Shishir, translation #1091075 by darinmex
- Levante la mano si tiene alguna idea que compartirRaise your hand if you have any ideas to share
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A teacher is managing a classroom discussion.
- AlejandroElena, levanta la mano para participar.Elena, raise your hand to participate.
- ElenaLo siento, Alejandro, no sabía que era así.I'm sorry, Alejandro, I didn't know that was the rule.
- AlejandroNo hay problema, solo levanta la mano.No problem, just raise your hand.
- ElenaEstá bien, lo haré ahora.Okay, I will do that now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, mano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
