bergauf
uphill
Describes movement or direction up a mountain or hill; upward on an incline.
EXAMPLE
Die letzte Etappe der Wanderung führte steil bergauf.
The last stage of the hike went steeply uphill.
bergauf
uphill
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Meanings
bergauf gehen
to improve
To improve in a figurative sense or take a positive turn, for example economically or personally.
EXAMPLE
Nach ein paar schwierigen Monaten geht es für die Firma endlich wieder bergauf.
After a few difficult months, things are finally improving again for the company.
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'Berg' (mountain) and 'auf' (up/on). So it literally describes a movement 'up a mountain', which makes the meaning very clear.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen noch etwa einen Kilometer bergauf gehen.
We still have to walk uphill for about one kilometer.
Sentence position
As an adverb, 'bergauf' (uphill) usually stands at the end of a sentence or clause and describes the direction of an action. But it can also stand alone as an answer to a 'Wohin?' (where to?) question.
EXAMPLE
Die Straße führt hier steil bergauf.
The road goes steeply uphill here.
Context clue
You can almost always recognize the figurative meaning by the fixed expression 'es geht bergauf' (things are improving). The subject is 'es' or an abstract concept such as 'die Wirtschaft' (the economy) or 'meine Karriere' (my career).
EXAMPLE
Nach der Krise geht es mit der Wirtschaft langsam wieder bergauf.
After the crisis, the economy is slowly improving again.
Typical collocations
In the literal meaning, 'bergauf' (uphill) is often combined with verbs of movement. Typical examples are 'bergauf gehen' (to walk uphill), 'bergauf fahren' (to drive/ride uphill), 'bergauf steigen' (to climb uphill), and 'bergauf radeln' (to cycle uphill).
EXAMPLE
Mit dem E-Bike kann man viel leichter bergauf fahren.
With an e-bike, you can ride uphill much more easily.
Compare with
bergauf vs hoch
high
Hoch and bergauf can describe movement on an incline. Hoch usually appears together with the route mentioned, such as “den Berg hoch.” Bergauf describes the uphill direction itself and does not need such an addition.
bergauf
Wir gehen auf dem steilen Weg langsam bergauf.
We are slowly walking uphill along the steep path.
hoch
Wir gehen den steilen Berg langsam hoch.
We are slowly walking up the steep mountain.
In real life
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