encima
/enˈθima/
The Spanish word for 'above' is encima.
encima is used to indicate that something is over or on top of something else.
Meaning: over, on top of (prep)
Which one should you use?
While encima refers to physical position, the related form arriba is used to mean 'earlier in order in writing' and más en rango is used to mean 'higher in rank'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use encima as a preposition followed by a noun, you must use the preposition de to form encima de.
How do you pronounce it?
/enˈθima/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say encima mío to mean 'above me'. In standard Spanish, you should use the grammatically correct prepositional form encima de mí.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, adding encima to the start of a sentence can act as an intensive, meaning 'on top of everything else' or 'to make matters worse'.
- The word encima is a combination of the preposition en and the noun cima, which means 'summit' or 'peak'. Literally, it describes being 'on the summit'.
- Spanish speakers sometimes use encima to describe a feeling of being overwhelmed or pressured by someone, such as saying a boss is encima of an employee.
Examples in context
- Él vive encima mío.He lives above me.This sentence shows how to use the form encima to describe someone living above another person.Tatoeba #2010239 by marcelostockle, translation #530083 by wma
- El deber por encima de todo.Duty above all.This sentence shows how to use the form encima to express priority.Tatoeba #9769807 by Eremon, translation #6157114 by amoeba
- Vi la luna encima del tejado.I saw the moon above the roof.This sentence shows how to use the form encima to describe the moon's position relative to a roof.Tatoeba #2471976 by marcelostockle, translation #25580 by CK
- La imagen cuelga sobre la chimeneaThe picture hangs above the fireplace
- La lámpara está encima de la mesaThe lamp is above the table
- Su inteligencia está por encima de la mediaHer intelligence is above average
- El pájaro está volando arriba de los árbolesThe bird is flying above the trees
- El sol está encima de las nubesThe sun is above the clouds
- El helicóptero vuela sobre la ciudadThe helicopter flies above the city
- El avión está volando sobre las nubesThe plane is flying above the clouds
- Las montañas están por encima del valleThe mountains are above the valley
- El cuadro está colgado encima del sofáThe painting is hanging above the sofa
- La temperatura está por encima de la media hoyThe temperature is above average today
- El gato trepó encima del tejadoThe cat climbed on top of the roof
- La luna está arriba del horizonteThe moon is above the horizon
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are looking for a book in the living room.
- JavierLucía, ¿dónde está mi libro?Lucía, where is my book?
- LucíaEstá encima de la mesa, Javier.It is on top of the table, Javier.
- JavierNo lo veo encima de la mesa.I don't see it on top of the table.
- LucíaMira bien, está justo encima.Look closely, it is right above.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “above” translations and entries encima, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries encima, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
