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"to raise (lift up)" in seven languages

Meaningto raise (lift up)

Spanish

levantar

/lebanˈtaɾ/

inherited

Built on levante, the old participle of levar (LEVĀRE).

French

lever

/ləve/

inherited

Italian

alzare

/alˈtsare/

other source · Vulgar Latin *ALTIĀRE, from ALTUS 'high'

Sollevare, from LEVĀRE, is also common.

Portuguese

levantar

/levɐ̃ˈtah/

inherited

Romanian

ridica

/ridiˈka/

other source · of disputed origin

Catalan

aixecar

/əʃəˈka/

other source · of uncertain origin

Alçar (Vulgar Latin *ALTIĀRE, like Italian alzare) is also common.

English

raise

/ɹeɪz/

other source · Old Norse reisa

English → Italianto raise (lift up)alzareNot relatedDifferent sources — learn this one fresh. But English has relatives: elevate, lever, relieve, levity; altitude (it).What English and Italian share

The Latin ancestor

LEVĀRE‘to lift, lighten’

All six sisters descend from it, unless marked otherwise below.

The story

LEVĀRE is 'to make light (LEVIS)', hence to lift; English lever and elevator keep it. Italian alzare is 'to make high'.

English relatives: elevate, lever, relieve, levity; altitude (it)

Sound laws at work

B and V merge in Spanish

Learn it

Practice the Core verbs deckQuiz a friend on it

In a sentence

  • esLevanta la mano si sabes la respuesta.
  • frLevez la main si vous connaissez la réponse.
  • itAlza la mano se sai la risposta.
  • ptLevante a mão se souber a resposta.
  • roRidicați mâna dacă știți răspunsul.
  • caAixequeu la mà si sabeu la resposta.
  • enRaise your hand if you know the answer.

More in Core verbs

All Core verbs words