Questions & Answers about Ele levanta a caixa pesada.
I previously learned that to get up is levantar-se. Why is there no -se in this sentence?
Levantar-se is a reflexive verb used when you are lifting yourself (such as getting up out of bed). In this sentence, he is lifting a separate object (the box), not himself. Therefore, we use the standard, non-reflexive verb levantar (to lift).
Why does the adjective pesada come after the noun caixa?
Unlike in English, descriptive adjectives in Portuguese usually come right after the noun they describe. Also, because caixa is a feminine noun, the adjective must take its feminine form, pesada, instead of the masculine pesado.
Does Ele levanta mean he lifts habitually, or he is lifting right now?
It can mean both! In Portuguese, the simple present tense is frequently used to express actions happening right at this moment. Ele levanta a caixa pesada translates perfectly to both He lifts the heavy box and He is lifting the heavy box.