German word

oben

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈoːbən/

Meaning

  • adverbup

Example

Die Schlüssel liegen oben.

The keys are up there.

Illustration for oben (up)

More examples

Die Lampe hängt oben.

The lamp hangs up there.

Core concept

Something located higher in a vertical arrangement.

Common phrases

  • ganz oben

    at the very top

  • nach oben

    upward

  • von oben

    from above

Similar words

unten: At a lower position in a vertical arrangement.

Definition in German

An einem höheren Ort; weiter oben im Vergleich zu etwas anderem.

Word origin

The adverb oben comes from Old High German obana, which derives from an inherited Germanic word for an upper position.

Usage tips

  • For movement toward a higher place, German uses nach oben, while oben describes the resulting location.

Other meanings

  • upstairsadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word