The Portuguese expression levantar a mesa is a fundamental part of daily life in Lusophone cultures, particularly within the context of family gatherings and social meals. At its most basic level, it translates literally to 'to lift the table,' but idiomatically, it means to clear the table after a meal has finished. This involves removing the plates, cutlery, glasses, and leftover food to prepare the space for the next activity, whether that be serving coffee, dessert, or simply cleaning up. Understanding this phrase requires more than just knowing the individual words; it requires an appreciation of the social rhythm of a Portuguese meal. In many Portuguese-speaking households, the act of clearing the table is not just a chore but a signal that the formal eating portion of the event has concluded, often transitioning into the 'sobremesa' or 'cafézinho' time where conversation continues. Unlike the English 'clear the table,' which can sometimes sound purely functional, 'levantar a mesa' carries a sense of completing a ritual. It is a phrase you will hear every single day if you live with Portuguese speakers or visit their homes.
- Literal Translation
- To lift the table (physically lifting the furniture object).
- Idiomatic Meaning
- To remove the dishes and remains of a meal from the dining surface.
- Social Context
- Used primarily in domestic settings or informal dining to organize the cleanup process.
Depois de um grande jantar de domingo, todos ajudam a levantar a mesa antes de servirmos o doce.
The verb 'levantar' is extremely versatile in Portuguese, meaning to raise, to get up, or to lift. When applied to 'a mesa' (the table), it creates a specific colocation that every learner must master. You wouldn't say 'limpar a mesa' if you specifically mean removing the plates; 'limpar' implies the act of wiping the surface with a cloth. Therefore, 'levantar a mesa' is the precise step that happens first. In a restaurant setting, you might not use this phrase yourself as a customer, but you will certainly see the 'empregado de mesa' (waiter) performing this action. In a home, offering to help 'levantar a mesa' is considered a sign of great politeness and good upbringing. It shows that you are not just a guest who expects to be served, but a participant in the communal experience of the meal. This phrase is used across all Portuguese-speaking countries, from Portugal to Brazil, Angola to Mozambique, with very little variation in its core meaning or usage frequency.
As crianças já sabem que é dever delas levantar a mesa todas as noites.
Interestingly, the choice of the word 'levantar' (to lift) likely stems from the physical action of picking up heavy ceramic plates and trays. In older times, when tables were often just boards placed on trestles, 'levantar a mesa' might have literally meant dismantling the table itself after the meal, though in modern Portuguese, it refers strictly to the items on the table. When you use this phrase, you are participating in a linguistic tradition that emphasizes the physical labor involved in hospitality. It is a common part of the 'lida da casa' (housework). If you are learning Portuguese for travel or to live abroad, this phrase will appear in your first week of real-world interaction. It is as essential as knowing how to say 'please' and 'thank you' because it governs the closing of the most important social ritual in Lusophone culture: the shared meal.
Não saias da sala sem levantar a mesa, por favor.
- Regional Usage
- In some parts of Brazil, 'tirar a mesa' is a very common alternative, though 'levantar a mesa' remains universally understood.
Quem é que vai levantar a mesa hoje? Eu lavei a loiça ontem!
Finally, consider the grammar. 'Levantar' is a regular '-ar' verb, making it easy to conjugate in all tenses. Whether you are talking about what you 'did' (levantei), what you 'will do' (levantarei), or what you 'would like to do' (levantaria), the structure remains consistent. The object 'a mesa' follows the verb directly. This simplicity makes it an excellent phrase for B1 learners to practice their verb endings while using a practical, everyday vocabulary set. By mastering this phrase, you move beyond simple nouns and start using functional, multi-word expressions that make your Portuguese sound much more natural and native-like.
Using levantar a mesa correctly involves understanding both the verb conjugation and the placement of the phrase within a sentence. Since 'levantar' is a regular verb ending in '-ar', it follows the standard pattern for the majority of Portuguese verbs. This makes it a reliable anchor for learners. In most cases, the phrase is used as a direct action. You can use it in the imperative to give a command, in the present tense to describe a habit, or in the past tense to recount an event. For example, a parent might say to a child, 'Levanta a mesa agora!' (Clear the table now!). Here, 'levanta' is the imperative form. In a more descriptive sense, you might say, 'Nós sempre levantamos a mesa juntos' (We always clear the table together), which uses the present tense 'levantamos' to indicate a recurring habit.
- Present Tense
- Eu levanto a mesa todos os dias após o almoço. (I clear the table every day after lunch.)
- Past Tense (Preterite)
- Ontem, o meu irmão levantou a mesa sozinho. (Yesterday, my brother cleared the table by himself.)
- Future Tense
- Eu vou levantar a mesa assim que terminar de comer. (I am going to clear the table as soon as I finish eating.)
Se tu levantares a mesa, eu lavo a louça.
One of the most common ways you will encounter this phrase at the B1 level is in the context of polite offers and requests. In Portuguese culture, helping with chores is a significant social lubricant. You might use the conditional mood to be extra polite: 'Poderia levantar a mesa?' (Could you clear the table?). Or, when offering your own help, you might use the present indicative as a question: 'Queres que eu levante a mesa?' (Do you want me to clear the table?). Notice how 'levante' changes to the subjunctive here because it follows 'querer que'. This is a classic B1 grammar point. Another important aspect is the use of pronouns. Instead of repeating 'a mesa', you can use the direct object pronoun 'a'. For example, 'Eu vou levantá-la' (I am going to clear it). Note the accent and the change to '-la' because 'levantar' ends in 'r'.
O empregado já levantou a mesa dos clientes que acabaram de sair.
The phrase can also be modified with adverbs to give more detail about how the action is performed. 'Levantar a mesa rapidamente' (to clear the table quickly) might be necessary if you are in a hurry, while 'levantar a mesa com cuidado' (to clear the table carefully) is important if you are handling expensive china. In professional contexts, such as working in a restaurant, 'levantar a mesa' is part of a sequence of actions. A waiter might be told: 'Levanta a mesa da 5 e põe-na para quatro pessoas' (Clear table 5 and set it for four people). This shows how the phrase interacts with its opposite, 'pôr a mesa' (to set the table). Understanding this pair of actions is essential for describing the full cycle of dining service.
Costumamos levantar a mesa mal acabamos a refeição para manter a casa organizada.
Finally, consider the negative forms and questions. 'Ainda não levantaste a mesa?' (Haven't you cleared the table yet?) is a common question from a frustrated housemate or parent. 'Não precisas de levantar a mesa' (You don't need to clear the table) is a kind way to tell a guest to relax. By practicing these variations, you will gain the flexibility needed to use 'levantar a mesa' in any social situation. Remember that the key is the verb 'levantar'; once you can conjugate that, the rest of the phrase is simply a noun phrase that stays the same. This predictability is what makes it such a great phrase for intermediate learners to focus on as they build their fluency and confidence in spoken Portuguese.
É falta de educação sair sem perguntar se pode ajudar a levantar a mesa.
- Common Adverbs
- Sempre (always), nunca (never), já (already), logo (soon), devagar (slowly).
The phrase levantar a mesa is omnipresent in the Lusophone world, appearing in a variety of settings from the most intimate family dinners to the fast-paced environment of a busy 'tasca' or restaurant. To truly understand its usage, you have to look at the daily habits of Portuguese speakers. In a typical Portuguese home, lunch and dinner are the pillars of the day. They are often long, multi-course affairs. Once the main course is finished, someone will inevitably say, 'Vamos levantar a mesa?' This is the cue for everyone to stand up, grab their own plate, and carry it to the kitchen. In this context, it is a collective action that signifies the end of the 'eating' part and the beginning of the 'cleaning' or 'dessert' part. You will hear it in every household, from the north of Portugal to the south of Brazil.
- Domestic Setting
- At home, parents use it to teach children responsibility. 'João, ajuda a tua mãe a levantar a mesa.'
- Restaurant Setting
- Waiters use it to coordinate their work. 'Podes levantar a mesa 12? Eles já pediram a conta.'
- Social Etiquette
- Guests use it to show appreciation. 'Deixe estar, eu ajudo a levantar a mesa.'
No restaurante, o empregado foi muito rápido a levantar a mesa para os próximos clientes.
In the service industry, 'levantar a mesa' is a technical term. If you work as a 'garçom' (Brazil) or 'empregado de mesa' (Portugal), your manager will frequently tell you to clear tables to ensure a high turnover of customers. You might hear, 'A mesa quatro está livre, podes ir levantá-la?' This professional usage is identical to the domestic one, but the tone is more efficient. In movies or TV shows set in Portuguese-speaking countries, you will see scenes where families are arguing or laughing over a meal, and the scene often ends with the visual action of 'levantar a mesa'. It is a cinematic shorthand for the passage of time or the transition between scenes. Even in literature, authors might describe a character 'levantando a mesa' to show their domestic state or their relationship with other characters (e.g., a subservient character vs. a dominant one).
Mal os convidados saíram, comecei a levantar a mesa porque estava exausta.
You also hear this phrase in educational contexts. If you are taking a Portuguese language course, 'levantar a mesa' is a standard part of the 'house chores' vocabulary unit. It is often paired with 'lavar a loiça' (to wash the dishes) and 'pôr a mesa' (to set the table). These three phrases form the trinity of dining-related housework. In some regional dialects, you might hear variations. In rural areas, people might use 'limpar os pratos' or 'tirar as coisas', but 'levantar a mesa' remains the most prestigious and widely understood form. It is the version used in news reports, instructional manuals for hospitality, and formal writing. If you want to sound like a native, this is the phrase to use. It shows you understand the mechanics of the language and the cultural expectations of the society.
Podes levantar a mesa enquanto eu faço o café?
Finally, consider the digital world. If you look at Portuguese-speaking social media or blogs about home organization and 'lifestyle', you will see 'levantar a mesa' mentioned in tips for keeping a tidy home. 'Dicas para levantar a mesa rapidamente' (Tips for clearing the table quickly) or 'A importância de levantar a mesa logo após comer' (The importance of clearing the table right after eating) are common topics. This demonstrates that the phrase is not just spoken but is also a standard part of written Portuguese in informal and semi-formal contexts. Whether you are reading a blog post, watching a YouTube vlog, or talking to a neighbor, 'levantar a mesa' is a phrase that bridges all these different modes of communication.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when trying to say 'clear the table' in Portuguese is translating the English verb literally. In English, we 'clear' things. A literal translation might lead a student to say 'limpar a mesa' or even 'clarificar a mesa'. However, 'limpar a mesa' specifically means to wipe the table clean with a cloth or sponge. While you usually do this *after* you clear the dishes, it is a different step in the process. If you tell someone 'vou limpar a mesa' when the plates are still there, they might look at you confused, wondering how you plan to wipe the wood through the ceramic. To 'clear the dishes' is always levantar a mesa. Using 'limpar' prematurely is a classic 'false friend' of process, if not a direct false cognate.
- Mistake 1: Literal Translation
- Saying 'limpar a mesa' when you mean removing the dishes. (Correct: levantar a mesa).
- Mistake 2: Wrong Verb for 'Table'
- Using 'apagar a mesa' (to erase the table). This makes no sense in this context.
- Mistake 3: Preposition Confusion
- Adding 'de' or 'da' unnecessarily, like 'levantar da mesa'. This means 'to get up from the table' (physically standing up), not clearing the dishes.
Errado: Eu vou limpar a mesa (se ainda houver pratos). Correto: Eu vou levantar a mesa.
Another subtle but important mistake involves the preposition 'de'. If you say 'Eu levanto-me da mesa', you are saying 'I am getting up from the table'. This is a physical movement of your body away from the furniture. However, 'levantar a mesa' (without the reflexive 'me' and without 'da') is the transitive action of clearing the dishes. Beginners often mix these up because they both involve the verb 'levantar' and the noun 'mesa'. Remember: if you are moving the plates, use 'levantar a mesa'. If you are moving your body, use 'levantar-se da mesa'. This distinction is crucial for clear communication, especially in social settings where you might be announcing your intentions to the group.
Errado: Podes levantar da mesa? (Can you get up from the table?) Correto: Podes levantar a mesa? (Can you clear the table?)
In Brazil, you will often hear 'tirar a mesa'. While 'levantar a mesa' is perfectly correct in Brazil, some learners get confused when they hear 'tirar' and think they have learned the wrong phrase. They are synonyms in this context. However, a common mistake is to use 'tirar' in Portugal where 'levantar' is much more dominant. While a Portuguese person will understand 'tirar a mesa', it might sound slightly 'Brazilian' or informal to them. To be safe across all Lusophone countries, 'levantar a mesa' is the most robust choice. Finally, be careful with the word 'louça' (dishes). Some learners say 'levantar a louça', which is understandable but less common than 'levantar a mesa'. The phrase is a set idiom; you are 'lifting the table' conceptually, even though you are physically lifting the dishes.
Não confundas: levantar a mesa (clear dishes) vs levantar a mesa (physically lift the furniture - rare!). Context is everything.
Lastly, learners sometimes forget to conjugate the verb properly in the plural. If you are asking a group of people to help, you must say 'Levantem a mesa' (imperative plural). Saying 'Levanta a mesa' to a group of three people is grammatically incorrect and sounds like you are only talking to one of them. Similarly, in the past tense, 'Nós levantamos a mesa' (We cleared the table) is often confused with the present 'Nós levantamos a mesa' (We clear the table) because they look the same in many dialects (though in Portugal, the past has a slightly different pronunciation/accentuation in some forms). Paying attention to these small grammatical details will prevent you from making the 'foreigner' mistakes that often mark a B1 student.
While levantar a mesa is the standard phrase for clearing the table, the Portuguese language offers several synonyms and related expressions that can add variety to your speech. The most common alternative, particularly in Brazil, is 'tirar a mesa'. The verb 'tirar' means 'to take away' or 'to remove'. This is perhaps more intuitive for English speakers as it directly translates to 'taking things off the table'. In Portugal, you might also hear 'levantar os pratos' (to lift the plates), which is more specific about what is being moved. Understanding these alternatives helps you navigate different regional dialects and social registers.
- Tirar a mesa
- Very common in Brazil. It sounds slightly more informal than 'levantar a mesa' in some contexts but is perfectly acceptable.
- Limpar a mesa
- Specifically refers to the act of wiping the surface. It usually happens *after* the table has been 'levantada'.
- Desarrumar a mesa
- Literally 'to un-set the table'. It is the direct opposite of 'arrumar a mesa' (to set/arrange the table).
Em vez de dizer levantar a mesa, os meus primos no Rio de Janeiro dizem sempre tirar a mesa.
Another related phrase is 'pôr a mesa' (to set the table). This is the logical opposite and is equally important for any learner. You set the table before you eat, and you 'levantar' it after. In some households, you might hear 'recolher a mesa'. The verb 'recolher' means 'to gather' or 'to collect'. This is a bit more formal and is often used in larger gatherings or catering contexts where many items need to be collected systematically. For example, a supervisor at a wedding might say, 'Comecem a recolher a mesa do buffet' (Start gathering the items from the buffet table). It implies a more organized or large-scale cleanup than the casual 'levantar'.
Depois de levantar a mesa, é necessário limpar a mesa com um pano húmido.
In a more figurative sense, you might hear 'dar cabo da mesa' in very informal, slangy contexts, but this usually means to eat everything on the table until nothing is left, rather than clearing the dishes! It is important to stay within the 'levantar/tirar' family for the actual chore. If you are in a restaurant, the waiter might ask, 'Posso levar isto?' (Can I take this?) as they point to a finished plate. This is a shorthand for clearing the table one item at a time. While not exactly the same as 'levantar a mesa', it serves the same purpose in a professional context. By learning these variations, you become more adaptable. You won't be thrown off when a Brazilian friend asks you to 'tirar a mesa', and you will know exactly what to do when a Portuguese host mentions it is time to 'levantar a mesa'.
A minha avó prefere o termo recolher a loiça em vez de levantar a mesa.
Finally, let's look at the verb 'arrumar'. While 'arrumar a mesa' often means to set it, in some contexts, 'arrumar a cozinha' (to tidy the kitchen) is the umbrella term that includes 'levantar a mesa'. If someone says 'Eu vou arrumar tudo', they mean they will clear the table, wash the dishes, and put everything away. As a B1 student, being able to distinguish between these specific verbs (levantar, tirar, limpar, arrumar) will significantly elevate your level of Portuguese. It shows that you have moved past 'general' verbs and are now using the specific, culturally appropriate terms for everyday actions. This precision is what makes a speaker sound truly fluent and integrated into the culture.
- Arrumar a cozinha
- The complete process of tidying up after a meal, including clearing the table.
レベル別の例文
Eu levanto a mesa.
I clear the table.
Present indicative, first person singular.
Tu levantas a mesa?
Do you clear the table?
Present indicative, second person singular question.
Ela levanta a mesa agora.
She clears the table now.
Present indicative, third person singular.
Nós levantamos a mesa juntos.
We clear the table together.
Present indicative, first person plural.
Eles levantam a mesa sempre.
They always clear the table.
Present indicative, third person plural.
Podes levantar a mesa?
Can you clear the table?
Modal verb 'poder' + infinitive.
Vou levantar a mesa.
I am going to clear the table.
Future with 'ir' + infinitive.
Obrigado por levantar a mesa.
Thank you for clearing the table.
Preposition 'por' followed by infinitive.
Ontem, eu levantei a mesa sozinha.
Yesterday, I cleared the table by myself.
Preterite tense, first person singular.
Nós já levantámos a mesa.
We have already cleared the table.
Preterite tense, first person plural (European Portuguese spelling).
Levanta a mesa, por favor.
Clear the table, please.
Imperative mood, second person singular.
Ele nunca levanta a mesa.
He never clears the table.
Negative sentence with frequency adverb.
Quem levantou a mesa hoje?
Who cleared the table today?
Interrogative with preterite tense.
Queres ajudar a levantar a mesa?
Do you want to help clear the table?
Verb 'querer' + infinitive 'ajudar' + 'a' + infinitive.
Ela estava a levantar a mesa quando o telefone tocou.
She was clearing the table when the phone rang.
Past continuous (E.P. style).
É preciso levantar a mesa antes do café.
It is necessary to clear the table before coffee.
Impersonal expression 'é preciso'.
Se eu tivesse tempo, levantaria a mesa agora.
If I had time, I would clear the table now.
Conditional mood.
É importante que tu levantes a mesa todos os dias.
It is important that you clear the table every day.
Present subjunctive after 'é importante que'.
Poderia levantar a mesa, se não se importar?
Could you clear the table, if you don't mind?
Conditional for politeness.
Vou levantá-la num instante.
I'll clear it in a second.
Direct object pronoun '-la' attached to the infinitive.
Eles pediram-nos para levantar a mesa.
They asked us to clear the table.
Indirect object pronoun + infinitive.
Depois de ter levantado a mesa, ela foi descansar.
After having cleared the table, she went to rest.
Past participle in a compound structure.
Costumamos levantar a mesa à vez nesta casa.
We usually clear the table in turns in this house.
Verb 'costumar' + infinitive.
Não saias sem levantares a mesa.
Don't leave without clearing the table.
Personal infinitive with 'sem'.
Caso eles não levantem a mesa, eu faço-o.
In case they don't clear the table, I'll do it.
Present subjunctive with 'caso'.
A mesa já foi levantada pelo empregado.
The table has already been cleared by the waiter.
Passive voice.
Embora estivesse cansado, ele levantou a mesa.
Although he was tired, he cleared the table.
Concessive clause with 'embora' + subjunctive.
Disseram-me que a mesa já tinha sido levantada.
They told me the table had already been cleared.
Past perfect passive.
O segredo para uma casa limpa é levantar a mesa logo a seguir à refeição.
The secret to a clean house is clearing the table right after the meal.
Gerund-like usage of the infinitive.
Se tivesses levantado a mesa, já estaríamos a ver o filme.
If you had cleared the table, we would already be watching the movie.
Conditional perfect.
É habitual levantar a mesa antes de servir o licor.
It is customary to clear the table before serving the liqueur.
Adjective + infinitive.
Ao levantar a mesa, ele partiu um copo de cristal.
While clearing the table, he broke a crystal glass.
'Ao' + infinitive to indicate simultaneous action.
Raramente se vê o anfitrião a levantar a mesa em jantares tão formais.
One rarely sees the host clearing the table in such formal dinners.
Impersonal 'se' construction.
A tarefa de levantar a mesa recai frequentemente sobre os mais jovens da família.
The task of clearing the table often falls upon the youngest in the family.
Complex subject with 'recair sobre'.
Mal a refeição terminou, apressaram-se a levantar a mesa para dar lugar ao jogo de cartas.
As soon as the meal ended, they rushed to clear the table to make room for the card game.
Conjunction 'mal' + pronominal verb 'apressar-se'.
Não obstante a sua posição, ele fazia questão de levantar a mesa pessoalmente.
Notwithstanding his position, he made a point of clearing the table personally.
Formal conjunction 'não obstante'.
Houve quem se oferecesse para levantar a mesa, mas a dona da cas
関連コンテンツ
homeの関連語
à direita de
A2To the right side of something or someone.
à esquerda de
A2To the left side of something or someone.
a gás
B1ガス式の。ガスを燃料として動く機器や車両を指す言葉です。
a minha
B1My (feminine singular possessive determiner).
a nossa
B1私たちの（女性単数形）。
a tua
B1あなたの（親しい間柄、女性名詞用）。'a tua casa' は「あなたの家」という意味です。
abafado
A2この部屋は窓がなくて、とても息苦しいです。
abaixo de
A2猫はテーブルの下 (abaixo de) にいます。
abajur
A2アバジュールは、シェードの付いた小さなテーブルランプのことです。
abrir à chave
A2鍵で開ける。鍵を使ってドアや箱のロックを解除する行為。
