herab
down
Expresses movement from a higher to a lower position; downward.
EXAMPLE
Vorsichtig stieg er von der Leiter herab.
He carefully climbed down from the ladder.
herab
down
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Meanings
herab
down / condescendingly
In a figurative sense, used to express a contemptuous or condescending attitude, often in the phrase 'von oben herab' (from above/down at someone).
EXAMPLE
Er blickte auf die neuen Kollegen mit einer gewissen Arroganz herab.
He looked down on the new colleagues with a certain arrogance.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word consists of two parts: 'her-' and 'ab'. The prefix 'her-' expresses movement toward the speaker, while 'ab' describes movement downward.
EXAMPLE
Der Apfel fiel vom Baum herab.
The apple fell down from the tree.
Use as a prefix
'Herab' (down) is very often the separable prefix of a verb, for example in 'herabsteigen' (to climb down/descend) or 'herabblicken' (to look down). In a main clause, the prefix stands at the end.
EXAMPLE
Er blickte vom Balkon auf die Straße herab.
He looked down from the balcony onto the street.
Register
The word 'herab' (down) is used more often in written language or in a more formal style. It can sound slightly elevated or literary.
EXAMPLE
Schnee fiel leise auf die Landschaft herab.
Snow fell softly down onto the landscape.
Fixed expression
The figurative, contemptuous meaning is almost always used in the fixed phrase 'von oben herab' (condescendingly/from above). Typical verbs in this context are 'behandeln' (to treat), 'ansehen' (to look at/view), or 'reden' (to speak/talk).
EXAMPLE
Sie behandelt ihre Mitarbeiter oft von oben herab.
She often treats her employees condescendingly.
Compare with
herab vs herunter
down
Herunter and herab can both express movement downward. Herunter is the usual, neutral form in everyday speech; herab often sounds more elevated or is especially used in fixed and figurative expressions. For a simple everyday situation, herunter is therefore usually more natural, while herab signals a more marked style.
herab
Goldene Blätter segelten langsam von den Bäumen herab.
Golden leaves drifted slowly down from the trees.
herunter
Der Ball fiel vom Balkon herunter.
The ball fell down from the balcony.
In real life
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