Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| rauf und runter | colloquial | |
| auf und ab | /aʊ̯f ʊnt ap/ (word by word) |
These phrases describe movement that is upward and downward in an alternating fashion. In other contexts, note that hinauf means up, hinunter means down and unten can mean downstairs.
What does it mean word for word?
The colloquial form rauf und runter uses the words rauf and runter, which are contractions of the more formal terms herauf/hinauf and herunter/hinunter.
Which one should you use?
Auf und ab is the standard, neutral way to express upward and downward movement. In contrast, rauf und runter is a colloquial version frequently used in spoken German.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Auf und ab is the neutral, standard form. Rauf und runter is colloquial.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both auf und ab and rauf und runter function as adverbs and do not change their form based on the noun they might modify.
Did you know?
- In German, the phrase auf und ab can be used to describe pacing back and forth on a flat surface, whereas English uses 'up and down' for the same action.
- The formal versions of these directional words, herauf and herunter, are much more specific than their colloquial counterparts. They specifically imply that the movement is happening toward the person speaking.
- In spoken German, the contractions rauf and runter are so dominant that using the full forms herauf and hinunter in casual conversation can sound unnaturally stiff.
Examples in context
- Ich sprang auf und ab.I jumped up and down.This sentence shows the use of auf und ab for jumping.Tatoeba #8661831 by Melang, translation #5939655 by CK
- Er ging die Straße auf und ab.He walked up and down the street.This sentence shows the use of auf und ab for walking a street.Tatoeba #696210 by Manfredo, translation #9195126 by sundown
- Der Lift fährt rauf und runter.The elevator is moving up and down.This sentence shows the use of rauf und runter for an elevator's movement.Tatoeba #1990170 by Manfredo, translation #65244 by AlanF_US
- Die Temperatur geht abwärts.The temperature is going down.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Sarah are talking about a bouncy castle.
- FelixDie Kinder springen schon den ganzen Tag rauf und runter.The children have been jumping up and down all day.
- SarahSie haben wirklich extrem viel Energie.They really have a lot of energy.
- FelixIch würde auch gerne mal rauf und runter springen.I would like to jump up and down too.
- SarahDas wäre bei deinem Gewicht wohl etwas zu viel.That would probably be a bit too much given your weight.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “up and down” translations and entries auf und ab, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (auf, und, ab) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
