pulgar arriba
/pulɡaɾ ariba/from spelling rulesmasculine
The phrase "thumbs up" in Spanish is translated as pulgar arriba. Wiktionary also lists pulgar bueno.
Meaning: a gesture signifying approval or okay (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pulgar arriba | /pulɡaɾ ariba/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| pulgar bueno | /pulɡaɾ bweno/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
This term is used as a noun to describe the gesture of a thumb pointing upward, signifying approval or okay.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pulgar arriba is a literal translation of "thumb up", where pulgar means "thumb" and arriba means "up".
How does it change in a sentence?
When using pulgar arriba as a noun in a sentence, it is typically preceded by the masculine article el (e.g., el pulgar arriba).
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, a thumbs-up gesture is not always a sign of approval and can be interpreted as a vulgar or offensive insult.
- The word arriba is derived from the Latin words ad and rīpam, meaning it originally referred to the 'coast' or 'bank' of a river.
- The word pulgar is a linguistic relative of the Latin word pollex, which also serves as the root for the English word 'pollux' used in astronomy.
Example sentences for Spanish are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are discussing a new project idea.
- Sofía¿Te gusta mi idea, Javier?Do you like my idea, Javier?
- JavierSí, tienes mi pulgar arriba.Yes, you have my thumbs up.
- Sofía¡Genial! Entonces voy a empezar.Great! Then I'm going to start.
- JavierAdelante, todo se ve perfecto.Go ahead, everything looks perfect.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thumbs up” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arriba, bueno, pulgar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
