Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| runter | /rʊntɐ/ /rʊntər/ |
| herunter | |
| hinunter | /hɪˈnʊntɐ/ |
These terms are used to describe movement from a high position to a low position. While these words function as adverbs, they can also act as separable prefixes in verbs, such as runterfallen (to fall down).
What does it mean word for word?
The distinction between the formal forms lies in the direction of movement relative to the speaker: herunter uses the prefix her- to indicate movement towards the speaker, while hinunter uses hin- to indicate movement away from the speaker.
Which one should you use?
herunter describes moving down towards the speaker, while hinunter describes moving down away from the speaker. runter is a shortened version of these two forms.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
runter is a colloquial contraction used frequently in everyday speech. For a more neutral approach that is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, you can use the phrase nach unten.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In many German dialects and colloquial speech, runter functions both as an adverb and as a separable prefix for verbs, such as in runterfallen.
How do you pronounce it?
/rʊntɐ/
Did you know?
- While runter means 'down', it is used in the phrase runterkommen to mean 'calming down' or 'relaxing' after a period of stress.
- German uses the word runter in runterschlucken to describe the physical act of swallowing, treating the throat as a downward path.
- The phrase runterfahren can refer to moving a car down a hill or, in modern tech slang, to shut down a computer.
Examples in context
- Hol Tom hier runter.Get Tom down here.This sentence shows how to use runter to tell someone to get down to the speaker's location.Tatoeba #6644788 by Felixjp, translation #2261865 by CK
- Geh nicht da runter.Don't go down there.This sentence demonstrates using runter to give a warning about moving downwards in a specific place.Tatoeba #6644929 by Felixjp, translation #2270394 by CK
- Runter von dem Baum!Get down from that tree!This sentence shows using runter as a command to get down from an object.Tatoeba #6877512 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3143752 by Hybrid
- Bitte gehen Sie die Treppe hinunter.Please go down the stairs.
- Die Preise sind abwärts gerichtet.Prices are going down.
- Komm bitte runter zum Auto.Please come down to the car.
- Der Ball rollte die Treppe nach unten.The ball rolled down the stairs.
- 322 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah are hiking in the mountains.
- LukasSarah, komm mal schnell runter!Sarah, come down quickly!
- SarahWarte, ich bin gleich da.Wait, I'll be there in a moment.
- LukasEs wird schon dunkel hier oben.It is already getting dark up here.
- SarahIch komme jetzt die Straße runter.I am coming down the road now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “down” translations and entries runter, herunter, hinunter, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
