Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| (para) cima | /pa.ɾɐ ˈsĩ.mɐ/ (Brazil, word by word) |
| acima | /aˈsĩ.mɐ/ (Brazil) /ɐˈsi.mɐ/ (Portugal) |
The phrase (para) cima is used to describe movement away from the earth's surface or in an upward direction. It is also commonly used in the idiomatic expression estar para cima to mean being upbeat or cheerful. If you want to express the action of going up or climbing, you can use the verb subir and to express raising or elevating something, use elevar.
Which one should you use?
While both terms can be translated as 'up', (para) cima often describes a direction of movement (upwards), whereas acima is typically used to describe a position that is higher than something else (above).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition para is often used with cima to indicate the direction of movement, making the phrase effectively mean 'upwards' or 'up'.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of (para) cima is /pa.ɾɐ ˈsĩ.mɐ/. It has four syllables, and the stress is on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- At its deepest root, cima comes from the Greek word kúō, which means 'to be pregnant' or 'to conceive'.
- The expression para cima is used in the phrase ir para cima, which can mean to physically attack someone or to confront them aggressively.
- The term acima is actually a compound formed by joining the prefix 'a-' to the word cima.
Examples in context
- Tom correu escada acima.Tom ran up the steps.This sentence shows how to use acima to describe movement up something.Tatoeba #3448674 by piterkeo, translation #3447166 by CK
- Vais lá acima?Are you going up there?This sentence uses acima to ask about moving to a higher location.Tatoeba #7071292 by iart61, translation #9169148 by Nylez
- Por que é mais fácil diferenciar entre "acima" e "abaixo" do que "direita" e "esquerda"?Why is it easier to tell between "up" and "down" than between "left" and "right?"This sentence illustrates a comparison between the terms acima and its opposite.Tatoeba #10039659 by Ricardo14, translation #10039698 by espamatics
- Eleva o copo para cima.Raise the glass up.
- O quadro está acima da mesa.The painting is above the table.
- O apartamento fica acima do escritório.The apartment is located above the office.
- A temperatura está acima do normal.The temperature is above normal.
- Levanta essa caixa pra cima.Lift that box up.
- A vibe tá indo pra cima hoje!The vibe is up today!
- Deixa a mala lá em cima no quarto.Leave the suitcase up there in the room.
- O apartamento fica lá em cima da colina.The apartment is up there on the hill.
- Eles estão dançando lá em cima do palco.They are dancing up there on the stage.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “up” translations and entries acima, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (para, cima) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acima, cima, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
