01
oben
above / up
At a higher place or position; the opposite of below/down.
example
Das Buch, das du suchst, liegt ganz oben im Regal.
The book you're looking for is right at the top of the shelf.
oben
above / up
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Place or direction
Here you have to distinguish between position (Where?) and direction (Where to?). 'Oben' (above/up) describes a position. For movement upward, you have to use 'nach oben' (upward/up).
EXAMPLE
Meine Wohnung ist ganz oben im Haus.
My apartment is right at the top of the building.
System of place adverbs
'Oben' (above/up) is part of a system of adverbs. For position, there are 'oben' (above/up) and 'unten' (below/down). For direction, there are 'nach oben' (upward/up) and 'nach unten' (downward/down). For origin, there are 'von oben' (from above) and 'von unten' (from below).
EXAMPLE
Der Keller ist unten im Haus.
The basement is downstairs in the house.
The prefix ober-
'Oben' (above/up) is related to the prefix 'ober-', which means 'upper'. You can find it in many words, such as 'Obergeschoss' (upper floor), 'Oberlippe' (upper lip), or 'Oberarzt' (senior physician/consultant).
EXAMPLE
Wir wohnen im dritten Obergeschoss.
We live on the third upper floor.
Literal and figurative
The expression 'von oben' (from above) can literally mean 'from a higher place'. But it is also often used figuratively for instructions from an authority (e.g. boss, government).
EXAMPLE
Der Befehl kam direkt von oben, wir können nichts dagegen tun.
The order came directly from above; we can't do anything about it.
Position in texts
'Oben' (at the top) is used very often to describe a position on a page, screen, or in a document. Typical phrases are 'oben links' (top left), 'oben rechts' (top right), or 'wie oben erwähnt' (as mentioned above).
EXAMPLE
Die Seitenzahl finden Sie immer oben auf der Seite.
You will always find the page number at the top of the page.
Compare with
oben vs darüber
about it / above it
'darüber' and 'oben' can both describe a higher position. The important difference is: 'darüber' refers to something specific that was mentioned before or is clear from context. So it means: above this thing. 'oben' describes a higher place more generally, for example in the upper part of a room, a house, or a page. Learners confuse the words because both have to do with height. Memory tip: 'darüber' needs a reference point; 'oben' simply names the higher place.
oben
Herr Weber wartet oben im Besprechungsraum.
Mr. Weber is waiting upstairs in the meeting room.
darüber
Auf dem Tisch liegt ein Brief, und direkt darüber hängt eine kleine Lampe.
There is a letter on the table, and a small lamp hangs directly above it.
In real life
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