What does 'arriba' mean in Spanish? - Master the prepositions 🚀

Arriba is a Spanish adverb of place that translates to up, above, or upstairs in British English. It is used to describe a physical location or to give a command of encouragement.

Wait! ✋ Before you start shouting "¡Arriba!" like a cartoon character, you should know that using it in the wrong context in Spain might make you look a bit silly. Keep reading to find out why ándale is a no-go in Spain and how to master the arriba, abajo toast like a local! 🍻 

How to pronounce arriba correctly

Is ándale, arriba actually used in Spain?

Arriba, abajo, al centro y pa' dentro: The ultimate toast

Beyond the stars: arriba as an attitude

Master your prepositions of place

How to pronounce arriba correctly 🗣️  

 The secret to sounding like a native is all in the double "r". In Spanish, "rr" is a rolling sound (the alveolar trill). 

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☝🏻Expert tip: Place the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth, and let it vibrate with the air. Don't worry if you spray a bit of water—it’s part of the process! 💦 

 

Is Ándale, arriba actually used in Spain? 🇲🇽 vs 🇪🇸

If you've watched Speedy Gonzales, you probably think ¡Ándale! ¡Arriba! is the national motto of Spain. Spoiler alert: it isn't. 🚫 While ándale is a very common and authentic expression in Mexico, you will almost never hear it in the streets of Madrid or Barcelona. 

In Spain, if we want someone to hurry up or move, we are much more likely to say ¡venga! or ¡vamos! Using ándale in Spain is a classic guiri giveaway! 🤠 

Arriba, abajo, al centro y pa' dentro 🥂 

 If you go out for drinks in Spain, you need to learn this ritual. It’s the most popular way to toast with friends:

1. Arriba →  raise your glass ⬆️ 

2. Abajo →  lower your glass ⬇️ 

3. Al centro →  bring your glass towards the group 🤜🤛 

4. Pa' dentro → drink! (short for para adentro - to the inside) 😋 

Practice makes perfect! 🍻 Watch how it’s done: Arriba, abajo, al centro y pa' dentro. Remember, in Spain, we never drink alone—and we never skip the ritual!

 

Beyond the stairs: Arriba as an attitude 💃 

In Spain, arriba isn't just about floors and ceilings; it’s deeply embedded in our social interactions. Here are three expressions that will make you sound like a pro: 

The mood booster: ¡Venga, arriba!

In British English, we might say "Cheer up!" or "Get in there!". In Spain, if a friend is feeling a bit down or lazy on a Sunday morning, you’ll hear ¡Venga, arriba ese ánimo! It’s used to push someone to get their energy back.

The "judgey" look: Mirar de arriba a abajo🧐 

This is a classic. It means to look someone up and down. It usually implies judging someone or being a bit suspicious of them.

Guiri Tip: If you walk into a traditional taberna in a small village, don't be surprised if the locals te miran de arriba a abajo. They aren't being rude; they’re just curious about the new face in town!

The big bosses: Los de arriba 🏢 

If you want to join a conversation about why things aren't working (a national sport in Spain), you need this phrase. It refers to the people at the top—whether it's the government, the directors of a big company, or your boss's boss. 

The phrase Eso es cosa de los de arriba (That's a matter for the people at the top) is the perfect excuse when you don't have the answer or want to complain about "the system".

Master prepositions of place 📍 

To help you navigate your new life in Spain, you need more than just "up" and "down". Here are the essentials: 

⚠️ The Golden Rule: When using these to describe where something is located, ALWAYS use the verb ESTAR, never ser. For example: La cerveza está a la derecha de la tapa → The beer is to the right of the snack 🍺.

Here's our article with the conjugation 🔗👉: Mastering Ser vs Estar

Let's practice! Where is the cat?  

Look closely at the video! 🐈 Is he dentro (inside) the box, detrás (behind) it, or encima (on top)?

Watch his moves and try to say out loud where he is using the verb estar.

🎯 Test your Spanish

Choose the correct answer ✅

 💬 And you? Had you heard about the arriba, abajo... ritual before, or is this the first time you've come across it?

Let me know 👀👇🏻