aguas arriba y aguas abajo
/aɡwas ariba i aɡwas abaxo/from spelling rules
The phrase "upstream and downstream" is translated into Spanish as aguas arriba y aguas abajo.
These terms describe directions relative to the flow of a river, moving toward or away from the source. Similar to English, these terms can also be used metaphorically in business or technical contexts to describe processes occurring earlier or later in a sequence.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the word aguas is always used in the plural form.
Did you know?
- The term abajo in aguas abajo is a linguistic relative of the English word 'abase', which means to lower someone's social status.
- While aguas abajo describes a physical direction, the phrase ir aguas abajo can be used colloquially to describe a situation that is deteriorating or failing.
- If you are talking about a single river, you still must use the plural aguas to say 'upstream' or 'downstream' in Spanish.
Examples in context
- El punto de monitoreo se encuentra aguas arriba del río.The monitoring point is located upstream of the river.
- Estamos investigando daños aguas arriba de la planta de tratamiento.We are investigating damages upstream of the treatment plant.
- El peligroso contaminante se esparció aguas abajo del río.The dangerous pollutant spread downstream of the river.
- La industria maderera se encuentra aguas abajo de nuestra comunidad.The logging industry is located downstream from our community.
- Vamos a acampar río arriba para disfrutar del paisaje.We're going camping upstream to enjoy the scenery.
- Si sigues río arriba, encontrarás una hermosa cascada.If you go upstream, you'll find a beautiful waterfall.
- Los pescadores están río abajo, cerca de la desembocadura.The fishermen are downstream, near the mouth of the river.
- Vamos a caminar río abajo para encontrar un buen lugar para nadar.Let's walk downstream to find a good swimming spot.
- El kayakista se mueve aguas arriba y aguas abajo.The kayaker moves upstream and downstream.
- Debemos estudiar el flujo aguas arriba y aguas abajo.We must study the flow upstream and downstream.
- Los peces viajan aguas arriba y aguas abajo.The fish travel upstream and downstream.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are looking for a lost ball in a stream.
- ElenaNo veo la pelota aquí, Alejandro.I don't see the ball here, Alejandro.
- AlejandroBusquemos aguas arriba y aguas abajo.Let's look upstream and downstream.
- ElenaTienes razón, puede estar en cualquier lado.You're right, it could be anywhere.
- AlejandroYo iré hacia allá, Elena.I will go that way, Elena.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abajo, arriba, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
