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
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
oben
upstairs
On a higher floor of a building.
EXAMPLE
Meine Großeltern wohnen oben im vierten Stock.
My grandparents live upstairs on the fourth floor.
oben
at the top
At the beginning of a page, list, or document.
EXAMPLE
Deine Adresse schreibst du bitte oben links auf den Brief.
Please write your address at the top left of the letter.
von oben
from above
Coming from a higher position or from an authority.
EXAMPLE
Die Anweisung kam direkt von oben.
The instruction came directly from above.
nach oben
upward / up
Into a higher direction or position.
EXAMPLE
Der Aufzug fährt nach oben.
The elevator is going up.
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
Both words can describe a higher position. Darüber explicitly refers to a particular reference object and means above it, whereas oben only indicates a higher area. Use darüber when it is clear what something is above, and oben when the general location is sufficient.
oben
Das Bild hängt im Flur, und oben ist noch eine kleine Lampe angebracht.
The picture is hanging in the hallway, and there’s another small lamp up above.
darüber
Über dem Sofa hängt ein Bild, und darüber befindet sich eine kleine Lampe.
There’s a picture hanging above the sofa, and a small lamp is above it.
In real life
Loading video examples...