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"Up" is an adverb which is often translated as "arriba", and "high up" is a phrase which is often translated as "a gran altura". Learn more about the difference between "up" and "high up" below.
up(
uhp
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g. to run quickly, very tired).
1. (position)
a. arriba
From up in the tower, we could see the surrounding countryside.Desde arriba en la torre, podíamos ver el campo de alrededor.
2. (in upward direction)
a. para arriba
From the waist up, he was covered in paint.De la cintura para arriba, estaba cubierto de pintura.
b. hacia
He watched as his balloon floated up towards the sky.Miró mientras su globo flotaba hacia el cielo.
3. (data)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Test scores are up in schools throughout the county.Las calificaciones han mejorado en las escuelas del condado.
The price of wheat is up 10% from last year.El precio del trigo ha aumentado 10% con respecto al año pasado.
4. (score)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
The Bulls are up by five in the third quarter.Los Bulls están ganando por cinco puntos en el tercer cuarto.
They were two goals up at halftime.Llevaban dos goles de ventaja en el descanso.
5. (installed)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Finally, all of the paintings are up.Por fin están colgados todos los cuadros.
The walls of our new house are up. They'll be finishing the roof next.Las paredes de nuestra nueva casa se han erigido. Ahora terminarán el techo.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g. the big dog).
6. (standing)
7. (awake)
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g. He ran through the door.).
9. (position)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Are you coming up to New York for Christmas?¿Vas a venir hasta Nueva York para la Navidad?
Please don't run up the stairs.Por favor, no corra mientras sube las escaleras.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g. I bought a book.).
10. (to increase)
a. aumentar
We've upped the offer, but the owner of the house still refuses to sell it.Hemos aumentado la oferta, pero el dueño de la casa sigue negándose a venderla.
b. subir
Her project was a success and her salary was upped from 10,000 to 15,000 dollars per month.Su proyecto fue un éxito y le subieron el sueldo de 10,000 a 15,000 dólares al mes.
c. intensificar
We need to up our efforts if we are going to get things done on time.Debemos intensificar nuestros esfuerzos si queremos que las cosas estén hechas a tiempo.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g. The man sneezed.).
11. (colloquial) (to rise)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. levantarse
I don't know what happened but they just upped and left without even saying goodbye.No sé qué paso, pero se levantaron y se fueron sin ni siquiera despedirse.
high up(
hay
uhp
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g once upon a time).
1. (general)
a. a gran altura
We must be high up now. My ears just popped.Debemos de estar a gran altura. Se me acaban de destaponar los oídos.