Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| al revés | /al reˈbes/ | |
| boca abajo | /boka abaxo/ (from spelling rules) | |
| bocabajo | /bokaˈbaxo/ | alternative form |
| de cabeza | /de kaˈbeθa/ /de kaˈbesa/ |
Spanish uses different terms depending on whether you mean something is physically inverted, reversed or in a state of disorder. The phrase al revés is a general term meaning inverted, reversed or even inside out. If you specifically mean something is positioned with its opening or front facing downwards, you should use boca abajo. When describing a situation or an object that is in great disorder, you can use de cabeza or patas arriba.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase al revés literally translates to 'the other way around' or 'to the reverse'. The phrase boca abajo literally means 'mouth down', describing an object positioned with its opening or front facing downwards.
Which one should you use?
While al revés is a general term for being inverted, reversed or inside out, boca abajo refers specifically to a vertical inversion where the front or opening is facing down. Bocabajo is simply an alternative single-word spelling of boca abajo.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The expression patas arriba is an informal way to indicate an object or situation has been turned upside down and is used in Spain and some Latin American countries.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/al reˈbes/
Did you know?
- When you say a situation is patas arriba, you are literally saying it is 'legs up'.
- The word abajo is a cognate of the English word 'abase' and the French phrase à bas.
- Depending on the region, patas arriba may be understood as a general term for disorder, but in some Latin American countries, it specifically implies a violent overturn.
Examples in context
- Todo está al revés.Everything is upside down.This sentence shows how to describe a general state of being upside down using al revés.Tatoeba #485672 by Raimondi, translation #383646 by Dorenda
- Tu libro está al revés.Your book is upside down.This sentence uses al revés to describe the orientation of a book.Tatoeba #5003800 by DarkHollow, translation #5003799 by DarkHollow
- No lo sujetes boca abajo.Don't hold it upside down.This sentence uses boca abajo to instruct someone not to hold an object facing downwards.Tatoeba #1713336 by marcelostockle, translation #41850 by CK
- El cartel está colgado al revésThe sign is hung upside down
- La tormenta dejó todo patas arribaThe storm left everything upside down
- Colgó el cuadro al revésHe hung the painting upside down
- Volteó el plato de cabezaHe turned the plate upside down
- La casa está patas arribaThe house is upside down
- Los documentos están al revésThe documents are upside down
- El anuncio ha puesto todo patas arribaThe announcement has turned everything upside down
- La mudanza dejó la casa toda al revésThe move left the house completely upside down
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro is trying to read a printed document in a cafe.
- AlejandroMaría, creo que tengo el papel al revés.María, I think I have the paper upside down.
- MaríaSí, Alejandro, la letra está de cabeza.Yes, Alejandro, the text is upside down.
- Alejandro¿Puedes girarlo para que se lea bien?Can you turn it so it reads correctly?
- MaríaClaro, dame un momento.Sure, give me a moment.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “upside down” translations and entries al revés, boca abajo, bocabajo, de cabeza, 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 abajo, al revés, boca, bocabajo, cabeza, de, revés, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
