encima
/en-THEE-mah/ (Spain) or /en-SEE-mah/ (Latin America)
on top of
The most common meaning of encima is 'on top of' or 'on', referring to physical position.
encima(Adverb)
on top of
?physical position
,on
?placed upon a surface
,above
?in a higher position
,over
?passing above something
📝 In Action
Las llaves están encima de la mesa.
A1The keys are on top of the table.
El avión vuela por encima de las nubes.
A2The plane flies above the clouds.
Ponte la chaqueta por encima, que hace frío.
A2Put the jacket on over (your clothes), it's cold.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'encima de'
To say something is 'on top of' another thing, you almost always use the pair 'encima de'. For example, 'el libro encima de la mesa' (the book on top of the table).
'Encima' vs. 'Sobre'
For physical location, 'encima de' and 'sobre' are often interchangeable. 'Encima de' usually implies direct contact, while 'sobre' can be a little more general. But don't worry, people will understand you either way!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Not 'en cima'
Mistake: "El gato está en cima del coche."
Correction: El gato está encima del coche. 'Encima' is always one word when it means 'on top of'. 'Cima' by itself is a noun meaning 'peak' or 'summit'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use 'por encima' for movement
When talking about something moving over something else without touching, like a bird or plane, the phrase 'por encima de' is very common. 'El pájaro voló por encima de mi cabeza' (The bird flew over my head).
In informal conversation, encima is used as a connector meaning 'on top of that' or 'to make matters worse,' adding an extra fact or complication to a previous statement.
encima(Adverb)
on top of that
?adding another fact, often negative
,in addition
?adding information
,besides
?as well as that
to make matters worse
?when adding a negative point
📝 In Action
El coche no arranca y, encima, está lloviendo.
B1The car won't start and, on top of that, it's raining.
Me ayudó con la mudanza y encima me invitó a cenar.
B1He helped me with the move and, in addition, he bought me dinner.
Trabajo mucho, gano poco y encima mi jefe me grita.
B2I work a lot, I earn little, and to make matters worse, my boss yells at me.
💡 Grammar Points
Connecting Ideas
This 'encima' connects two ideas, where the second one adds something extra or unexpected. It usually appears at the beginning of the second idea, often followed by a comma.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using it without a first part
Mistake: "Encima, hace frío."
Correction: Llegué tarde y, encima, hace frío. This meaning of 'encima' needs a previous statement to add on to. You can't just start a conversation with it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Tone of Voice
Pay attention to the tone when you hear this. It's often used to complain or express frustration, like you're listing things that went wrong. It adds emphasis to the last item on the list.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: encima
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'encima' to mean 'on top of that' or 'to make matters worse'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'encima de' and 'sobre'?
They are very close cousins! For physical location, you can often use them interchangeably. 'Encima de' is a bit more specific about being directly 'on top of' something. 'Sobre' can also mean 'about' (like a book 'about' history), while 'encima' never means that. When in doubt for physical location, 'encima de' is a great choice.
Do I always have to say 'de' after 'encima'?
You need 'de' when you are saying what object something is on top of (e.g., 'encima DE la mesa'). If you're just pointing and saying 'Put it on top!' without specifying the surface, you can use 'encima' by itself: '¡Ponlo encima!'