Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Up in Spanish
Arriba · adverb · ah-RREE-bah
The English word 'up' translates to 'arriba' for position (being up/above) and 'hacia arriba' for direction (moving upward). Many English phrasal verbs with 'up' require completely different translations in Spanish since Spanish does not use phrasal verbs the same way.
Pronounced ah-RREE-bah with a rolled or tapped 'rr' and stress on the second syllable. The double 'r' is essential for correct pronunciation and meaning.
Mira hacia arriba y verás las estrellas.
Look up and you'll see the stars.
Up in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for up, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| arriba | up | ah-RREE-bah | Default, widely understood |
| hacia arriba | up | directional movement | |
| subir | up | verb form, to go up |
How Native Speakers Use Arriba
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Direction
El gato se subió arriba del armario.
The cat climbed up on top of the wardrobe.
Indicating upward movement to a higher position.
Wake up
Levántate, ya es hora de ir a la escuela.
Get up, it's time to go to school.
Phrasal verb 'get up' becomes 'levantarse' in Spanish.
Location
Tu habitación está arriba, al final del pasillo.
Your room is up there, at the end of the hallway.
Indicating something is on a higher floor.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Arriba
Direct phrasal verb translation
Incorrect: Yo picé arriba el teléfono.
Correct: Yo contesté el teléfono.
English phrasal verbs like 'pick up' cannot be translated word-by-word; each has its own Spanish equivalent.
Confusing arriba and encima
Incorrect: El libro está arriba de la mesa.
Correct: El libro está encima de la mesa.
For 'on top of' a specific surface, use 'encima de,' not 'arriba de' which indicates a general upward direction.
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Common Questions About Up in Spanish
- How do I translate English phrasal verbs with 'up'?
- Each English phrasal verb with 'up' requires its own Spanish translation — 'give up' is 'rendirse,' 'wake up' is 'despertarse,' 'pick up' is 'recoger' — since Spanish doesn't construct meaning through particles the way English does.
- What is the difference between arriba and encima?
- The word 'arriba' indicates general upward direction or location on a higher level, while 'encima' specifically means directly on top of or above something, requiring the preposition 'de' before the reference object.
- How do I say 'upstairs' in Spanish?
- The word 'arriba' itself often means upstairs in household contexts, as in 'voy arriba' (I'm going upstairs), or you can be more specific with 'en el piso de arriba' (on the floor above).