над
nad[nət]
The Russian preposition for the physical positioning of 'over' or 'above' is над (nad).
над is primarily used to indicate that one thing is positioned above another. This usage can be literal, such as describing smog hanging over a city or figurative, such as when used with the verb думать (to think) to express thinking something over or contemplating a subject.
Meaning: physical positioning: on top of, above (prep)
Which one should you use?
When describing physical positioning, use над if there is no physical contact between the objects. If one object is actually resting on top of another, you should use на instead.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition над requires the noun following it to be in the instrumental case.
How do you pronounce it?
nad
Did you know?
- The preposition над is used in the Russian expression for 'laughing at' someone, смеяться над, implying that the laughter is positioned 'above' the person.
- While English uses 'over' for the top of a hill, Russian often uses через for movement 'over' or 'across' and reserves над for static positions.
- The Russian word над is a direct descendant of the Proto-Slavic root *nadъ, which has been used to denote spatial superiority in Slavic languages for millennia.
Examples in context
- Я думаю над этим.I'm thinking it over.This sentence is useful for expressing the idea of thinking something over using над.Tatoeba #7849041 by odexed, translation #8817872 by CK
- Не стой над душой.Don't hover over me.This sentence is useful for illustrating a figurative use of над regarding hovering.Tatoeba #9465637 by marafon, translation #13620290 by Ooneykcall
- Над Токио висел смог.Smog hung over Tokyo.This sentence shows a literal spatial use of над describing something hanging over a location.Tatoeba #5490901 by marafon, translation #51416 by CM
- Окончено совещаниеThe meeting is over
- Книга уже закончиласьThe book is already over
- Вечеринка прошлаThe party is over
- 148 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andrey and Ekaterina are looking at a painting in a new apartment.
- Екатерина EkaterinaГде мы повесим эту картину?Gde my povyesim etu kartinu?Where shall we hang this picture?
- Андрей AndreyДавай повесим её над диваном.Davay povyesim yeyo nad divanom.Let's hang it over the sofa.
- Екатерина EkaterinaХорошая идея, Андрей.Khoroshaya ideya, Andrey.Good idea, Andrey.
- Андрей AndreyОна будет смотреться идеально.Ona budet smotret'sya ideal'no.It will look perfect.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “over” translations and entries над, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries над, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
