w górę
/ˈv‿ɡu.rɛ/
The English word 'up' (away from earth's surface) is translated into Polish as w górę. Wiktionary also lists do góry.
Meaning: away from earth’s surface (adv)
Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA |
|---|---|
| w górę | /ˈv‿ɡu.rɛ/ /ˈv‿ɡu.rɛw̃/ |
| do góry |
The phrase w górę is used to indicate movement away from the ground. It is also frequently used metaphorically to describe an increase in abstract values, such as prices, temperatures or levels.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase w górę is composed of the preposition w (into/towards) and the accusative form of góra (mountain/height/top), literally meaning 'into/towards the heights'.
Which one should you use?
While w górę and do góry are often interchangeable, w górę often emphasizes the direction of movement (upwards). In contrast, do góry can emphasize the destination or a state of being, such as in the expression for 'upside down'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈv‿ɡu.rɛ/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- In Polish, to say something is 'upside down' uses do góry, literally meaning 'to the top', but it is paired with the word for 'feet' (nogami) to create the phrase do góry nogami.
- While w górę means 'up', the word góra is also used in Polish to refer to the 'upper class' or the high-ranking officials of a company.
- The phrase do góry can be used as a command to 'hurry up' or 'get up' in specific contexts, such as waking someone up or telling a group to move faster.
Examples in context
- Ceny pójdą w górę.Prices are going to go up.This sentence shows how w górę is used to describe rising prices.Tatoeba #4940377 by aleksandraeska, translation #4918972 by CK
- Ceny poszły w górę.Prices went up.This sentence shows how w górę is used to describe prices that have already gone up.Tatoeba #565309 by Bilberry, translation #442109 by CK
- Tom spojrzał w górę.Tom looked up.This sentence shows the use of w górę to describe the direction of a gaze.Tatoeba #8734592 by nusia2302, translation #2237195 by CK
- Proszę podnieść to do góry.Please lift this up.
- Przejdź na górę, tam jest pokój dla ciebie.Go upstairs, there's a room for you.
- Podnieś rękę do góry.Raise your hand up.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Małgorzata and Krzysztof are looking at a tall building.
- MałgorzataSpójrz w górę na ten wieżowiec.Look up at this skyscraper.
- KrzysztofOn jest naprawdę bardzo wysoki.It is really very tall.
- MałgorzataWidzę ptaki lecące w górę.I see birds flying up.
- KrzysztofTak, lecą w stronę chmur.Yes, they are flying toward the clouds.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “up” translations and entries w górę, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
