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"Up" is an adverb which is often translated as "arriba", and "on" is a preposition which is often translated as "en". Learn more about the difference between "up" and "on" 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.
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 pasó, pero se levantaron y se fueron sin ni siquiera despedirse.
on(
an
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Our anniversary is on Saturday.Nuestro aniversario es el sábado.
Where were you on the morning of September 30th?¿Dónde estabas la mañana del 30 de septiembre?
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Are you on any medication?¿Toma algún medicamento?
The driver was a young kid on drugs.El conductor era un chico que iba drogado.
a. de (trip, tour or vacation)
The band will be on tour until December.El grupo estará de gira hasta diciembre.
a. en (the Internet)
I spent hours on the Internet looking for information for my paper.Pasé horas en Internet buscando de información para mi trabajo.
b. a (the phone)
I have to talk with my boss, but he's on the phone at the moment.Tengo que hablar con mi jefe pero está al teléfono ahora mismo.
11. (radio or TV)
12. (transport)
b. a (into a bus, train or airplane)
We got on the plane at six, but we only took off half an hour later.Subimos al avión a las seis pero tardamos media hora en despegar.
13. (music)
a. a
Playing on keyboards, Dave! A big round of applause for him!¡Al teclado, Dave! ¡Un fuerte aplauso para él!
14. (according to)
a. según
The order will be delivered based on your instructions.Se entregará el pedido según sus instrucciones.
a. por cuenta de
The dinner is on my father, and I will buy the cinema tickets.La cena va por cuenta de mi padre y yo pago las entradas para el cine.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
17. (in place)
18. (with clothing)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
From next year on, I will be pursuing my real dream.A partir del año que viene, perseguiré mi verdadero sueño.
There's a gas station a couple of miles further on.Hay una gasolinera un par de millas más adelante.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Dream on; nothing is impossible!¡Sigue soñando, que nada es imposible!
She went on and on about how smart her kids were.No paraba de hablar de lo inteligentes que eran sus hijos.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
21. (in operation)
a. encendido
If the lights are on, the store's open.Si las luces están encendidas, la tienda está abierta.
b. prendido (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
While the oven is on, I'll bake this cake.Como está prendido el horno, hornearé esta torta.
22. (occurring)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
The race is on to find the missing ship.Ya empezó la carrera para encontrar el barco desaparecido.
This event is still on, despite the rain!¡El evento sigue en pie a pesar de la lluvia!
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Is there anything good on at the movies?¿Están dando algo bueno en el cine?
Your favorite song is on right now.Está sonando tu canción favorita ahora mismo.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I bet you $20 she doesn’t turn up. - You’re on!Te apuesto $10 a que no viene. - ¡Trato hecho!
I'll buy you dinner if you ask her out. - OK, you're on.Te invito a cenar si le pides que salga contigo - Vale.
