omhoog
The Dutch word for 'up' is omhoog. Wiktionary also lists opwaarts.
Meaning: away from earth’s surface (adv)
Ways to say it
| Dutch |
|---|
| omhoog |
| opwaarts |
Omhoog is an adverb used to describe movement away from the earth's surface or an increase in value or amount. For example, you can use it for physical movement, like a rocket or for abstract concepts, like rising prices.
Which one should you use?
Omhoog is the standard, common term for both physical movement and abstract increases. In contrast, opwaarts translates to 'upward' and is used strictly to indicate a directional movement.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb of direction, omhoog is invariable. It does not change its form based on the subject or the tense of the sentence.
Did you know?
- The word omhoog is composed of om, which usually means 'around', and hoog, meaning 'high'.
- While omhoog is the standard adverb, Dutch often uses the prefix op- in separable verbs to indicate an upward motion, such as opstaan for 'to stand up'.
- The suffix in opwaarts comes from the same root as the English word 'way', through the concept of a direction or 'ward'.
Examples in context
- De raket ging omhoog.The rocket went up.This sentence shows the use of omhoog for physical movement.Tatoeba #7570618 by MarijnKp, translation #29378 by CK
- De prijs gaat omhoog.The price is going up.This sentence shows the use of omhoog for an abstract increase in price.Tatoeba #7713257 by MarijnKp, translation #1349965 by sacredceltic
- De prijzen gaan omhoog.Prices are going up.This sentence shows the use of omhoog with a plural subject regarding prices.Tatoeba #9022232 by Micsmithel, translation #319909 by CK
- Ik ga omhoog naar de zolder.I'm going up to the attic.
- De prijzen zijn omhoog gegaan.The prices have gone up.
- De vergadering is op de bovenste verdieping.The meeting is on the top floor.
- Kun je naar boven komen?Can you come up?
- Volg de opwaartse beweging van de pijl.Follow the upward movement of the arrow.
- Ik ga even naar boven.I'm just going upstairs.
- De temperatuur gaat omhoog.The temperature is going up.
- Ik ga naar boven om mijn jas te halen.I'm going upstairs to get my coat.
- Wil je naar boven komen?Do you want to come up?
- Iedereen begon omhoog te kijken naar het vuurwerk.Everyone started looking up at the fireworks.
- 38 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Levi are watching a colorful hot air balloon.
- EmmaKijk, de ballon gaat omhoog!Look, the balloon is going up!
- LeviWauw, hij zweeft heel hoog omhoog.Wow, it is floating very high up.
- EmmaHij gaat steeds verder omhoog.It is going further and further up.
- LeviHet is een prachtig gezicht.It is a beautiful sight.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “up” translations and entries omhoog, opwaarts, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries omhoog, opwaarts, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
