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"Por encima de" is a preposition which is often translated as "over", and "por debajo de" is a phrase which is often translated as "below the". Learn more about the difference between "por encima de" and "por debajo de" below.
por encima de()
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. above
La marea subió dos metros por encima de sus niveles normales.The tide rose two meters above its normal levels.
a. higher up than
Sólo la directora gerente está por encima de él.Only the managing director is higher up than he is.
a. higher than
Los resultados del test indican que su inteligencia está por encima de la media.The test results show that she has a higher than average intelligence.
a. despite
Se volvió artista por encima de la oposición de sus padres.She became an artist despite her parents' opposition.
por debajo de()
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (general)
a. below the
No se registraron temperaturas por debajo del promedio en Nueva York.There was no record of temperatures below the average for New York.
b. underneath the
Pablo no quiere pasar por debajo del puente.Pablo doesn't want to pass underneath the bridge.
c. under the
Metí la carta por debajo de la puerta y seguí caminando.I slipped the letter under the door and continued walking.
