Vocabulary

Level: A1
Accent: 1 accent
Time: 15 min

Learn Spanish: encima vs. debajo for upper and lower positions

By MicroSpanish editorial team Published 8 Nov 2026

The short answer

Encima indicates a higher vertical position, often resting on a flat surface or placed higher up. Debajo indicates a lower vertical position relative to a reference point, whether in an open space or resting on the floor below another object. Both words remain invariant in Spanish, so their endings never change for gender or plural quantities.

Key points

Remember the key contrast: use encima when an item sits on top or higher up, and use debajo when it lies underneath or below.
Pair each word with de whenever you name the reference object right after.
When a reference noun follows, connect it using the preposition de, as in encima de la mesa or debajo de la cama.

Start the lesson

This lesson has 5 stages. You can stop at any time and continue later.

Stage 1 of 5

Understand

What it means, when to use it, and mistakes to avoid.

Examples

El gato tranquilo duerme encima de la alfombra suave.

The calm cat sleeps on top of the soft rug.

Why it works: Encima de indicates resting directly on the upper surface of the rug.

2 more examples

Mi hermano menor busca la maleta debajo de la cama.

My younger brother looks for the suitcase under the bed.

Debajo de indicates the lower space underneath the bed frame.
En la cocina limpia, los vasos van encima y las ollas van debajo.

In the clean kitchen, the glasses go on top and the pots go underneath.

Encima and debajo function as independent adverbs organizing two vertical tiers.

Read the full guide

7 short steps, one check each

Using Encima de for Everyday Surfaces

You want to say that an object is sitting on top of a table or desk without confusing it with lower placements.

The problem: You want to say that an object is sitting on top of a table or desk without confusing it with lower placements.

Use encima de when an item rests directly on top of a flat surface like a table, desk, or shelf. The connector de links the position directly to the furniture piece.

El vaso está encima de la mesa.

The glass is on top of the table.

Why it works: Encima de specifies that the glass rests on the upper flat surface of the table.
Las llaves están encima del mueble.

The keys are on top of the cabinet.

Why it works: Notice how de and el combine naturally into del before the masculine noun mueble.

Your turn

Choose the sentence that correctly states your notebook is on top of the desk.

Show the answer

Answer: El cuaderno está encima del escritorio.

Encima del escritorio indicates that the notebook rests on the upper working surface of the desk.

Using Debajo de for Lower and Covered Spaces

You need to locate an object that slipped under furniture or rests on the floor beneath a surface.

The problem: You need to locate an object that slipped under furniture or rests on the floor beneath a surface.

Use debajo de when an object is positioned under, beneath, or at a lower level relative to another item. This pattern regularly locates shoes, bags, or dropped items on the floor under tables and chairs.

Los zapatos están debajo de la cama.

The shoes are under the bed.

Why it works: Debajo de marks the lower space covered by the frame of the bed.
La pelota está debajo de la silla.

The ball is under the chair.

Why it works: Debajo identifies that the ball sits in the open area beneath the chair seat.

You can practise this again in Learn Spanish: Primero vs. Antes for First Steps and Earlier Time and Learn Spanish: Querer vs. Poder for Desires and Ability.

Your turn

Choose the sentence that states the dog is resting underneath the dining table.

Show the answer

Answer: El perro duerme debajo de la mesa.

Debajo de la mesa places the sleeping dog in the lower area sheltered beneath the table.

Using Encima and Debajo as Standalone Adverbs

You want to answer a where-question quickly without repeating the name of the furniture piece.

The problem: You want to answer a where-question quickly without repeating the name of the furniture piece.

When the reference location has already been mentioned or is visually obvious, drop the preposition de and use encima or debajo by itself as a standalone adverb.

Mira la mesa grande; el plato está encima.

Look at the large table; the plate is on top.

Why it works: Encima stands alone because the table was already identified in the first clause.
No pises la caja; el gato duerme debajo.

Do not step on the box; the cat is sleeping underneath.

Why it works: Debajo functions independently without de because the box is the clear reference point.

Your turn

Choose the natural conversational reply confirming that your backpack sits on top of the already mentioned counter.

Show the answer

Answer: Sí, la mochila está encima.

When no noun follows, use the standalone adverb encima without an orphaned preposition de.

Remembering that Encima and Debajo Never Change Form

Learners sometimes mistakenly try to pluralize or change the gender of spatial adverbs.

The problem: Learners sometimes mistakenly try to pluralize or change the gender of spatial adverbs.

Adverbs of place in Spanish are invariable. Whether you describe one pencil or ten books, a masculine object or a feminine surface, encima and debajo never take gender endings or plural -s.

Las cartas están encima de las revistas.

The letters are on top of the magazines.

Why it works: Encima remains unchanged even though both nouns are feminine and plural.
Muchos paquetes quedaron debajo de los bancos.

Many packages remained under the benches.

Why it works: Debajo keeps its standard singular-looking ending despite multiple masculine plural items.

Your turn

Select the grammatically accurate sentence describing multiple folders under two desks.

Show the answer

Answer: Las carpetas están debajo de los escritorios.

Debajo is an adverb and must remain invariable regardless of plural surrounding nouns.

Higher and Lower Positions Without Direct Contact

You need to describe objects mounted on a wall or hanging in the air relative to lower furniture.

The problem: You need to describe objects mounted on a wall or hanging in the air relative to lower furniture.

Encima and debajo also describe vertical levels without physical touch. A mirror hanging on the wall above a sofa is encima del sofá, while a lamp positioned lower down hangs debajo de la viga.

El cuadro nuevo cuelga encima del sofá.

The new painting hangs above the sofa.

Why it works: Encima del indicates a higher wall position vertically above the sofa without resting on it.
La repisa pequeña queda debajo de la ventana.

The small shelf sits below the window.

Why it works: Debajo de marks a lower vertical level along the wall beneath the window frame.

Your turn

Choose the sentence that correctly describes a decorative clock mounted on the wall above a bookshelf.

Show the answer

Answer: El reloj de pared cuelga encima de la biblioteca.

Encima de expresses the higher vertical level on the wall directly above the bookshelf.

Asking Where Objects Are with Dónde

You need to ask where a missing item is located and answer clearly using a relative vertical position.

The problem: You need to ask where a missing item is located and answer clearly using a relative vertical position.

Use the question word dónde with está or están to ask about an object's location. The reply specifies whether the item is encima de or debajo de a named reference piece of furniture.

—¿Dónde están las llaves? —Están encima del mueble.

—Where are the keys? —They are on top of the cabinet.

Why it works: The question asks for location with dónde, and the response pinpoints the upper surface with encima del.
—¿Dónde está la mochila? —Queda debajo del escritorio.

—Where is the backpack? —It stays under the desk.

Why it works: The answer uses debajo del to locate the item in the lower area under the desk.

Your turn

Choose the natural exchange asking where the dictionary is and confirming it sits on top of the table.

Show the answer

Answer: —¿Dónde está el diccionario? —Está encima de la mesa.

The question uses dónde está and the response correctly uses encima de to state that it sits on top of the table.

Distinguishing Surface Placement from Inside Location

You need to clarify whether an item rests on top of a container or is stored inside it.

The problem: You need to clarify whether an item rests on top of a container or is stored inside it.

Distinguish placing an object on an outer surface from storing it inside an enclosed space. Use encima de when an item rests on top of a box, bag, or folder. In contrast, use dentro de when the item is kept inside the container.

El documento importante está encima de la carpeta.

The important document is on top of the folder.

Why it works: Encima de specifies resting on the outer cover rather than being filed inside.
El pasaporte está dentro de la maleta.

The passport is inside the suitcase.

Why it works: Dentro de specifies that the passport is kept inside the enclosed suitcase rather than resting on top.

Your turn

Choose the sentence stating that your passport is packed inside the suitcase rather than placed on top.

Show the answer

Answer: El pasaporte está dentro de la maleta.

Dentro de la maleta expresses that the passport is contained inside the luggage rather than resting on top.

Before you go

Remember this

Remember the key contrast: use encima when an item sits on top or higher up, and use debajo when it lies underneath or below. Pair each word with de whenever you name the reference object right after.

Stage 2 of 5