la parte superior
/la paɾte supeɾjoɾ/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for 'the top' is la parte superior.
While la parte superior is a noun phrase used for 'the top', the adverb arriba is often used to mean 'at the top' or 'above' in a more general sense.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of la parte (the part) and superior (upper/superior).
Which one should you use?
To say 'the bottom' or 'the lower part', use la parte inferior instead of la parte superior.
How do you pronounce it?
/la paɾte supeɾjoɾ/
Did you know?
- The phrase de arriba abajo means 'from top to bottom', but it is also used idiomatically to say someone is examining another person's appearance critically.
- To describe the top of a page or a document, Spanish speakers often use the word cabezal, which literally means 'little head'.
- Spanish has a specific word coronilla for the top of the head, derived from corona meaning 'crown'.
Examples in context
- Observa la imagen en la parte superior de la página.Look at the picture at the top of the page.This sentence shows how to use la parte superior when referring to the top of a page.Tatoeba #1004758 by Shishir, translation #34030 by CK
- Tom limpió la parte superior de la mesa con un trapo húmedo.Tom cleaned the top of the table with a wet rag.This sentence demonstrates the use of la parte superior when referring to the top of a table.Tatoeba #1637536 by teskmon, translation #1095262 by CK
- Quiero llegar a la cima de la montañaI want to reach the top of the mountain
- Los alpinistas alcanzaron la cumbreThe mountaineers reached the top
- La parte superior del edificio ofrece vistas maravillosasThe top of the building offers marvelous views
- Vamos a conquistar la cima de la montañaLet's conquer the top of the mountain
- Mi equipo llegó a la cúspide del torneoMy team reached the top of the tournament
- La torre es lo más alto del paisajeThe tower is the highest point in the landscape
- Vamos a subir hasta el pico de la montañaLet's climb up to the top of the mountain
- La cima de la montaña está cubierta de nieveThe top of the mountain is covered in snow
- Vamos a celebrar en la cúspide de nuestro éxitoWe are going to celebrate at the top of our success
- El alpinista llegó a la parte superior de la rocaThe mountaineer reached the top of the rock
- La mejor vista está en lo más alto del edificioThe best view is at the top of the building
- Escribe tu nombre en la parte superior del examen.Write your name at the top of the exam.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are organizing some files in an office.
- MateoSofía, ¿dónde están los archivos nuevos?Sofía, where are the new files?
- SofíaEstán en la carpeta, en la parte superior.They are in the folder, at the top.
- MateoAh, ya los veo aquí.Ah, I see them here now.
- SofíaPerfecto, Mateo, guárdalos bien.Perfect, Mateo, put them away properly.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
