vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Encima" is a form of "encima", an adverb which is often translated as "above". "Arriba" is a form of "arriba", an adverb which is often translated as "up". Learn more about the difference between "encima" and "arriba" below.
encima(
ehn
-
see
-
mah
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
3. (in time)
a. right around the corner (idiom)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
Las elecciones están encima.The elections are right around the corner.
4. (figurative)
a. on top of that
Elizabeth llegó tarde y encima no había hecho la tarea.Elizabeth arrived late and on top of that hadn't done her homework.
b. besides that
Me dio diez dólares de pago y cinco más encima.He gave me ten dollars as payment and another five besides that.
arriba(
ah
-
rree
-
bah
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (higher)
a. upstairs
Los vecinos que viven arriba siempre hacen mucho escándalo.The neighbors who live upstairs always make a lot of noise.
3. (on a scale)
4. (earlier)
a. above (in a text)
Lo escrito arriba es tomado de la leyenda de Escila y Caribdis.That which is written above was taken from the legend of Scylla and Charybdis.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
b. up with (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¡Arriba los Cisnes!Up with the Swans!
