Spanish Phrase
Por favor, levanta los brazos para el escáner.
Meaning
A polite command asking someone to lift their arms so that a scanner (e.g., security or medical) can get a clear view. The phrase is direct but softened with ‘por favor.’
When to use
Use this sentence at airport security checkpoints, hospital imaging rooms, or any situation where a scanner needs an unobstructed view of a person’s upper body.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Porfavor,levantalosbrazosparaelescáner.
Polite request – Por favor
‘Por favor’ is placed before or after the command to soften it; it works like ‘please’ in English.
Imperative (tú) – levanta
The verb ‘levantar’ in the tú‑imperative drops the -r and adds -a: levanta (raise).
Direct object – los brazos
‘Los brazos’ is the plural direct object that receives the action of raising.
Purpose preposition – para
‘Para’ introduces the purpose of the action: ‘for the scanner.’
Definite article – el escáner
The noun ‘escáner’ takes the masculine article ‘el’ even though it ends in -er.
🗨In Conversation
Por favor, levanta los brazos para el escáner.
Please raise your arms for the scanner.
Claro, ¿cuánto tiempo tardará?
Sure, how long will it take?
✕Common Mistakes
Por favor, levantar los brazos para el escáner.
The infinitive ‘levantar’ cannot be used as a command; you need the imperative form ‘levanta’ (tú) or ‘levante’ (usted).
Por favor, levanta los brazo para el escáner.
‘Brazos’ is plural; ‘brazo’ would refer to a single arm.
Por favor, levanta los brazos para el escáneres.
The noun is singular here; the article must match the singular form.
↔Alternatives
Por favor, levante los brazos para el escáner.
Please raise your arms for the scanner. (formal ‘usted’)
Levanta los brazos, por favor.
Raise your arms, please.
Alce los brazos para el escáner.
Raise your arms for the scanner. (more formal)
Cultural Tip
In Spanish‑speaking countries, adding ‘por favor’ before a command is considered courteous, especially in public or professional settings. If you’re speaking to a stranger or someone in a formal context (e.g., airport staff), use the formal imperative ‘levante’ instead of ‘levanta.’