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"Encima" is a form of "encima", an adverb which is often translated as "above". "Sobre" is a form of "sobre", a preposition which is often translated as "on". Learn more about the difference between "encima" and "sobre" 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.
sobre(
soh
-
breh
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
5. (cover)
a. envelope
Abrió rápidamente el sobre y sacó la carta de su interior.He tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter inside.
6. (colloquial) (bed) (Argentina) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Argentina
Regionalism used in Spain
a. sack (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
En cuanto llegué, me metí en el sobre.As soon as I arrived, I hit the sack.
a. clutch bag
Necesito un sobre que combine con mis zapatos plateados.I need a clutch bag to match my silver shoes.
b. clutch
Mariela suele llevar un sobre cuando asiste a una boda.Mariela usually carries a clutch when she attends a wedding.
