The English verb “to raise” can mean many different things depending on the context. In French, several verbs are used, including “élever,” “lever,” “augmenter,” “soulever,” and “susciter.”

Élever

“Élever” is most often used when speaking of raising children or animals. It can also be used for raising plants or even abstract things like the level of a debate.

Examples:

• “Ils élèvent trois enfants.” = “They are raising three children.”
• “Elle a été élevée par ses grands-parents.” = “She was raised by her grandparents.”
• “Il élève des moutons dans la montagne.” = “He raises sheep in the mountains.”
• “Cette école élève le niveau d’exigence.” = “This school raises the level of expectation.”

Lever

“Lever” is used for physically raising or lifting something, or for the act of standing up. It is the basic verb for lifting an object.

Examples:

• “Il a levé la main.” = “He raised his hand.”
• “Lève la chaise, s’il te plaît.” = “Raise the chair, please.”
• “Elle s’est levée tôt ce matin.” = “She got up early this morning.”

Augmenter

“Augmenter” means to increase or to raise in the sense of making something go higher in value, number, or level.

Examples:

• “Le patron a augmenté les salaires.” = “The boss raised salaries.”
• “La chaleur a augmenté rapidement.” = “The heat rose quickly.”
• “Ils ont augmenté les impôts.” = “They raised taxes.”

Soulever

“Soulever” literally means to lift up, often with some effort. It can also be used figuratively for raising issues, protests, or debates.

Examples:

• “Il a soulevé une lourde valise.” = “He raised a heavy suitcase.”
• “Cette question a soulevé de nombreuses réactions.” = “This question raised many reactions.”
• “Le peuple s’est soulevé contre le régime.” = “The people rose up against the regime.”

Susciter

“Susciter” is used in the sense of raising or provoking something immaterial, such as emotions, reactions, or interest.

Examples:

• “Son discours a suscité beaucoup d’enthousiasme.” = “His speech raised a lot of enthusiasm.”
• “Ce projet a suscité des inquiétudes.” = “This project raised concerns.”
• “Le livre a suscité un grand intérêt.” = “The book raised great interest.”

Other uses

Sometimes “to raise” can be expressed with other verbs depending on the meaning. For example, “dresser” is used for raising animals in the sense of training them, and “ériger” is used for raising a monument.

Examples:

• “Ils dressent un chien de garde.” = “They are raising (training) a guard dog.”
• “On a érigé une statue sur la place.” = “They raised a statue in the square.”