Levantarse vs. despertarse

Question

Please explain usage different for Reflexive Verb form. My understanding is both mean " to wake up" ?/ " to get up"

Thanks

• Thanks - ujustu4u Jul 8, 2010

Answer 1

despertarse is to open your eyes and not be sleeping any more.

levantarse is to get up out of bed.

They're similar concepts, so they're used interchangeably sometimes when the speaker isn't trying to be real specifc.

• One more point. Pararse is also used to mean "get up". I think it is more specific than levantarse, although there is a case that could be made to say they are synonymous. - petersenkid2 Jul 10, 2010

Answer 2

the difference is visible in the non-reflexive uses of the verbs.

levantar indicates a raising, lifting.

despertar, besides meaning wake, also means to arouse or revive.

Answer 3

You can think about it this way....if you don't have to get up right away you can lay around in bed a long time before you actually get yourself out of bed. Despertarse is waking up (and the alarm clock is, conveniently, el despertador, or, a waker-upper). Leventarse, on the other hand, is actually getting yourself out of the recumbant position (think of levitate), a much more difficult acccomplishment, in my opinion.

• That is the best way to remember these 2 words use Thank you - ujustu4u Jul 8, 2010

Answer 4

One more that is very similar = pararse. To stand up.

I was sleeping soundly in my bed when I heard my wife say in her very commanding tone: "¡Parate!

• Oops. Sorry. Forgot I added that as a comment on my other answer :-( - petersenkid2 Jul 13, 2010