Quick answer
me levanto · te levantas
A small pronoun in front of the verb says the subject does the action to itself. Spanish uses it for daily routine, moods and changes of state.
The pronoun changes with the person
| Person | levantarse |
|---|---|
| yo | me levanto |
| tú | te levantas |
| él / ella / usted | se levanta |
| nosotros | nos levantamos |
| vosotros | os levantáis |
| ellos / ustedes | se levantan |
The verb ending works exactly as it always does. Only the pronoun is new.
What it actually means
Many reflexive verbs have a non-reflexive twin, and the pair is a real difference in meaning.
Note the last one: Spanish says las manos, not "my hands". The pronoun already told you whose they are.
Where the pronoun sits
Before a conjugated verb. Attached to the end of an infinitive or a gerund — your choice.
Memory trick
Ask yourself: is the action landing on the person doing it? If yes, you need the pronoun — and the body part takes el/la, not "my".
Typical mistakes
Yo levanto a las siete.
Me levanto a las siete.
Without the pronoun you are lifting something else. Native English speakers drop it because "get up" feels like one word.
Me lavo mis manos.
Me lavo las manos.
The possessive is redundant once the reflexive pronoun is there, and it sounds wrong.
Nos levantamos nos temprano.
Nos levantamos temprano.
The pronoun goes before the conjugated verb, never after it.
Check yourself
¿A qué hora ___ acuestas?