How to Say “Point Up” in Spanish

apuntar hacia arriba
/apuntaɾ aθja ariba/from spelling rules
The English phrase "point up" is translated into Spanish as apuntar hacia arriba.
For more formal contexts, you may use Indicar hacia arriba to say "to indicate upwards" or Dirigir hacia arriba to convey the idea of "directing upwards".

Did you know?

  • The word arriba literally traces its roots back to the Latin phrase for 'at the bank' or 'at the coast'.
  • While apuntar means 'to point', it is also the standard Spanish word for 'to note down' or 'to write down' something in a notebook.
  • The word arriba is used in the common exclamation ¡Arriba!, which can mean 'wake up' or 'get up' in the morning.

Examples in context

  • Él señaló hacia arriba para indicar la dirección
    He pointed upwards to indicate the direction
  • Dirige ese lápiz hacia arriba
    Direct that pencil upwards
  • Apunta hacia arriba, hacia esa estrella
    Point up, towards that star
  • Señala para arriba y te mostraré lo que encontré
    Point up, and I'll show you what I found
  • Señala hacia arriba si estás de acuerdo
    Point up if you agree
  • Apuntá para arriba y vas a ver el globo
    Point up, and you'll see the balloon
  • Las flechas parecen apuntar hacia arriba.
    The arrows seem to point up.
  • Debes apuntar hacia arriba con el dedo.
    You should point up with your finger.
  • Los indicadores deben apuntar hacia arriba.
    The indicators must point up.

Example conversation

María is helping Javier use a telescope.

  1. María

    Javier, tienes que apuntar hacia arriba.
    Javier, you have to point up.
  2. Javier

    ¿Hacia dónde exactamente, María?
    Towards where exactly, María?
  3. María

    Hacia la estrella más brillante.
    Towards the brightest star.
  4. Javier

    ¡Ya lo veo, gracias!
    I see it now, thanks!

Sources

  • IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
  • Word origins: Wiktionary entries apuntar, arriba, hacia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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