obendrauf
on top
At the very top of something; on top of something.
EXAMPLE
Er legte das letzte Buch ganz obendrauf auf den Stapel.
He placed the last book right on top of the stack.
obendrauf
on top
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Meanings
obendrauf
on top
In addition to something; as a bonus or an extra.
EXAMPLE
Du bekommst das Buch und obendrauf noch eine CD geschenkt.
You get the book and, on top of that, a CD as a gift.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of 'oben' (above / at the top) and 'drauf' (a short form of 'darauf', meaning on it). So it literally means 'on top of something' and emphasizes the position.
EXAMPLE
Die Kirsche kommt als Dekoration ganz obendrauf.
The cherry goes right on top as decoration.
Sentence position
'Obendrauf' can be placed flexibly in a sentence. It often appears at the beginning of a clause to emphasize the additional thing, or directly after the noun it refers to.
EXAMPLE
Er kaufte ein Hemd und obendrauf gab es eine Krawatte gratis.
He bought a shirt, and on top of that there was a tie for free.
Context clue
You can recognize the figurative meaning 'zusätzlich' (in addition) from the fact that it does not refer to a physical place, but to information, a price, or an action. It is often combined with 'noch' (still / additionally).
EXAMPLE
Der Handwerker war schon teuer und obendrauf kam noch die Mehrwertsteuer.
The tradesman was already expensive, and on top of that there was also VAT.
Register
In the meaning 'zusätzlich' (in addition), 'obendrauf' is frequently used in spoken language and informal contexts.
EXAMPLE
Wir hatten schon viel Arbeit und dann kam obendrauf noch ein neues Projekt.
We already had a lot of work, and then on top of that a new project came along.
Compare with
obendrauf vs dazu
to that / additionally
Both words can mention something additional to something that already exists. dazu usually refers to an accompanying addition, while obendrauf adds another extra to an amount or offer that is already there. Use dazu for something that belongs with it, and obendrauf for an extra.
obendrauf
Zum Frühstück gibt es obendrauf noch ein Stück Kuchen.
On top of that, you also get a piece of cake with breakfast.
dazu
Zum Frühstück gibt es dazu frisches Brot.
Breakfast comes with fresh bread.
In real life
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