arriba
“arriba” means “up” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
up, above, upstairs
Also: overhead
📝 In Action
Mira hacia arriba, ¡un avión!
A1Look up, an airplane!
Mis abuelos viven en el piso de arriba.
A1My grandparents live on the floor above / upstairs.
Por favor, pon la caja arriba en el armario.
A2Please, put the box up on the wardrobe.
Come on!, Get up!
Also: Hooray!, Let's go!
📝 In Action
¡Arriba, equipo, que podemos ganar!
A2Come on, team, we can win!
¡Arriba, dormilón! Ya son las diez.
A2Get up, sleepyhead! It's already ten o'clock.
¡Arriba ese ánimo! Todo va a estar bien.
B1Cheer up! (Literally: Up with that spirit!) Everything is going to be okay.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: arriba
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'arriba' to talk about a general location rather than to give encouragement?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin phrase 'ad ripam', which means 'to the shore'. Since the shore or riverbank was often higher ground, it came to mean 'up' or 'above'.
First recorded: Around the 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'arriba' and 'encima'?
'Arriba' is more general, meaning 'up' or 'above' without needing to be directly on something. You can look 'arriba' at the sky. 'Encima' means 'on top of' and usually implies direct contact. You use it as 'encima de algo' (on top of something), like 'las llaves están encima de la mesa' (the keys are on the table).
Can I say 'arriba de la mesa'?
Yes, you can, and many people do! It's very common in Latin America. In Spain, it's more common to hear 'encima de la mesa'. Both are understood perfectly. Using 'encima de' is often considered slightly more standard, but 'arriba de' is widespread and correct in many regions.