Learning how to express yourself in another language is an exciting journey. If you’re learning French, one word you’ll use often is “up.” Whether you’re encouraging someone to hurry up or simply need the word for directions, “up” has many uses. Understanding its meanings and how to use it in French can make your conversations much smoother.
In this article, we’ll explore how to say “up” in French and its different contexts. You’ll also learn ways to say “hurry up” in French, responses to these phrases, and practice with simple exercises. By the end, you’ll feel confident using “up” and related expressions in everyday conversations.
Ways to Say “Up” in French
The word “up” can be used in many situations, from giving directions to encouraging someone to act quickly. In French, there are several translations and expressions for “up,” depending on the context. Below are various ways to say “up” in French, along with their pronunciations, meanings, and examples.
1. En haut
Pronunciation: ahn oh
Meaning: Up, at the top.
In a Sentence:
- Le chat est en haut de l’arbre. (The cat is up in the tree.)
- Montez en haut pour voir la vue. (Go up to see the view.)
2. Vers le haut
Pronunciation: vehr luh oh
Meaning: Towards the top.
In a Sentence:
- Regardez vers le haut, il y a des étoiles. (Look up, there are stars.)
- Tournez votre lampe vers le haut. (Turn your lamp upwards.)
3. Debout
Pronunciation: duh-boo
Meaning: Standing up, upright.
In a Sentence:
- Restez debout pendant l’hymne. (Stay standing up during the anthem.)
- Les enfants sont déjà debout ce matin. (The children are already up this morning.)
4. Au-dessus
Pronunciation: oh-duh-soo
Meaning: Above, up above.
In a Sentence:
- L’avion vole au-dessus des montagnes. (The plane is flying up above the mountains.)
- Placez le tableau au-dessus de la cheminée. (Place the picture up above the fireplace.)
5. Monter
Pronunciation: mohn-tay
Meaning: To go up, to climb.
In a Sentence:
- Nous devons monter l’escalier pour atteindre notre chambre. (We have to go up the stairs to reach our room.)
- Monte dans la voiture, on part bientôt. (Get up into the car; we’re leaving soon.)
6. Se lever
Pronunciation: suh luh-vay
Meaning: To get up (from sitting or lying down).
In a Sentence:
- Je dois me lever tôt demain. (I have to get up early tomorrow.)
- Les élèves se lèvent pour saluer le professeur. (The students stand up to greet the teacher.)
7. En l’air
Pronunciation: ahn lehr
Meaning: In the air, up in the air.
In a Sentence:
- Laissez vos mains en l’air! (Keep your hands up in the air!)
- Le ballon est resté en l’air pendant quelques secondes. (The ball stayed up in the air for a few seconds.)
8. Hausse
Pronunciation: ohs
Meaning: Rise, increase, go up (formal contexts).
In a Sentence:
- Il y a une hausse des prix cette année. (There is a rise in prices this year.)
- La température est en hausse aujourd’hui. (The temperature is going up today.)
9. Au-dessus de
Pronunciation: oh-duh-soo duh
Meaning: Up above, over something.
In a Sentence:
- La lampe est suspendue au-dessus de la table. (The lamp is hanging up above the table.)
- Le soleil est au-dessus des nuages. (The sun is up above the clouds.)
10. Accélérer
Pronunciation: ahk-say-leh-ray
Meaning: To speed up, hurry up.
In a Sentence:
- Il faut accélérer pour arriver à l’heure. (We need to speed up to arrive on time.)
- Accélère un peu, sinon on va rater le train! (Hurry up, or we’ll miss the train!)
11. Plus haut
Pronunciation: plew oh
Meaning: Higher, further up.
In a Sentence:
- Chante un peu plus haut pour qu’on t’entende. (Sing a bit higher so we can hear you.)
- La cabane est construite plus haut dans l’arbre. (The treehouse is built further up in the tree.)
12. Lève-toi
Pronunciation: lev-twah
Meaning: Get up (informal).
In a Sentence:
- Lève-toi, il est temps d’aller à l’école. (Get up, it’s time to go to school.)
- Allez, lève-toi et bouge un peu! (Come on, get up and move a bit!)
13. Bouge-toi
Pronunciation: boozh-twah
Meaning: Move, hurry up (informal).
In a Sentence:
- Bouge-toi, on est en retard! (Hurry up, we’re late!)
- Bouge-toi un peu pour aider avec les sacs! (Move up and help with the bags!)
14. Haut
Pronunciation: oh
Meaning: High, up.
In a Sentence:
- Cet immeuble est très haut. (This building is very high.)
- Elle a sauté haut pour attraper la balle. (She jumped up high to catch the ball.)
15. Rapidement
Pronunciation: rah-pee-deh-mahn
Meaning: Quickly, hurry up.
In a Sentence:
- Dépêche-toi rapidement! (Hurry up quickly!)
- Il a terminé son travail rapidement. (He finished his work quickly.)
16. Dépêche-toi
Pronunciation: day-pesh-twah
Meaning: Hurry up (informal).
In a Sentence:
- Dépêche-toi, le bus arrive! (Hurry up, the bus is coming!)
- On est en retard, dépêche-toi! (We’re late, hurry up!)
17. À l’étage
Pronunciation: ah lay-tazh
Meaning: Upstairs, up a floor.
In a Sentence:
- Les chambres sont à l’étage. (The bedrooms are upstairs.)
- Monte à l’étage, je t’attends là-haut. (Go upstairs, I’ll wait for you up there.)
18. Plus vite
Pronunciation: plew veet
Meaning: Faster, hurry up.
In a Sentence:
- Cours plus vite, le match commence! (Run faster, the game is starting!)
- Allez, plus vite! On n’a pas toute la journée. (Come on, hurry up! We don’t have all day.)
19. Au sommet
Pronunciation: oh soh-may
Meaning: At the top, on top.
In a Sentence:
- Le drapeau flotte au sommet de la montagne. (The flag is flying at the top of the mountain.)
- Ils ont atteint le sommet après trois heures de marche. (They reached the top after three hours of hiking.)
20. Soulève
Pronunciation: soo-lev
Meaning: Lift up, raise.
In a Sentence:
- Soulève la boîte, elle est trop lourde pour moi. (Lift up the box; it’s too heavy for me.)
- Soulève ta main si tu as une question. (Raise your hand if you have a question.)
21. Relève-toi
Pronunciation: ruh-lev-twah
Meaning: Stand back up, get up again.
In a Sentence:
- Relève-toi après ta chute. (Get back up after your fall.)
- Relève-toi et continue à marcher. (Stand up and keep walking.)
22. Là-haut
Pronunciation: lah-oh
Meaning: Up there.
In a Sentence:
- Regarde là-haut, les nuages sont magnifiques. (Look up there; the clouds are beautiful.)
- Les oiseaux volent là-haut dans le ciel. (The birds are flying up there in the sky.)
23. Augmenter
Pronunciation: ohg-mahn-tay
Meaning: To increase, go up (formal contexts).
In a Sentence:
- Les prix du gaz ont encore augmenté. (Gas prices have gone up again.)
- Augmente un peu le volume, je n’entends rien. (Turn up the volume a bit; I can’t hear anything.)
24. Grimpe
Pronunciation: gramp
Meaning: Climb up, go up.
In a Sentence:
- Grimpe à l’échelle pour réparer le toit. (Climb up the ladder to fix the roof.)
- Grimpe vite, le spectacle commence bientôt! (Climb up quickly; the show is about to start!)
25. Redresse-toi
Pronunciation: ruh-dress-twah
Meaning: Straighten up, sit up.
In a Sentence:
- Redresse-toi, ne te tiens pas avachi. (Sit up straight; don’t slouch.)
- Elle s’est redressée après avoir trébuché. (She straightened up after stumbling.)
26. Au pinacle
Pronunciation: oh pee-nah-kl
Meaning: At the peak (formal or figurative).
In a Sentence:
- Il est au pinacle de sa carrière. (He is at the peak of his career.)
- Les randonneurs sont arrivés au pinacle au lever du soleil. (The hikers reached the peak at sunrise.)
27. Remonte
Pronunciation: ruh-mohnt
Meaning: Go back up, climb back.
In a Sentence:
- Remonte dans ta chambre, s’il te plaît. (Go back up to your room, please.)
- La rivière remonte vers les montagnes. (The river goes back up towards the mountains.)
28. Dresse-toi
Pronunciation: dress-twah
Meaning: Stand tall, rise up.
In a Sentence:
- Dresse-toi avec courage pour affronter la difficulté. (Rise up with courage to face the challenge.)
- Le chien s’est dressé sur ses pattes arrière. (The dog stood up on its hind legs.)
29. Réveille-toi
Pronunciation: reh-veh-yay-twah
Meaning: Wake up (informal).
In a Sentence:
- Réveille-toi, il est déjà huit heures! (Wake up, it’s already 8 o’clock!)
- Réveille-toi et prépare-toi pour l’école. (Wake up and get ready for school.)
Other Ways to Say “Up” in French
Here are additional ways to express “up” in French, presented in a markdown table. These phrases include their pronunciation, meanings, and example sentences to make it easier for you to understand and use them effectively.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Allez plus haut | ah-lay plew oh | Go higher | Allez plus haut pour mieux voir. (Go higher to see better.) |
| Lève-toi vite | lev-twah veet | Get up quickly | Lève-toi vite, le bus arrive! (Get up quickly; the bus is arriving!) |
| Tiens-toi debout | tyan-twah duh-boo | Stand upright | Tiens-toi debout pendant le discours. (Stand upright during the speech.) |
| Déplace-toi | day-plass-twah | Move yourself (hurry up) | Déplace-toi, on est en retard! (Move yourself; we’re late!) |
| Au sommet de tout | oh soh-may duh too | At the top of everything | Il est au sommet de tout dans son domaine. (He is at the top of everything in his field.) |
| Passe au-dessus | pass oh-duh-soo | Pass over | Passe au-dessus des rochers pour éviter le sentier. (Pass over the rocks to avoid the trail.) |
| Lève ton regard | lev ton ruh-gar | Lift your gaze/look up | Lève ton regard pour admirer les étoiles. (Lift your gaze to admire the stars.) |
| Montez plus vite | mon-tay plew veet | Climb faster | Montez plus vite, la vue est incroyable! (Climb faster; the view is amazing!) |
| Pousse-toi vers le haut | poos-twah vehr luh oh | Push yourself up | Pousse-toi vers le haut pour atteindre ton objectif. (Push yourself up to reach your goal.) |
| Relève ton esprit | ruh-lev ton es-pree | Lift your spirit (figurative) | Relève ton esprit dans les moments difficiles. (Lift your spirit in tough times.) |
| Grimpe vite | gramp veet | Climb quickly | Grimpe vite, le sommet n’est pas loin. (Climb quickly; the peak isn’t far.) |
| Monte là-bas | mon-tay lah-bah | Go up there | Monte là-bas pour voir le paysage. (Go up there to see the scenery.) |
| Fonce en haut | fonss ahn oh | Dash up (hurry up) | Fonce en haut, on t’attend! (Dash up; we’re waiting for you!) |
Responses to “Up” in French
When someone uses expressions like “hurry up” or gives directions involving “up,” it’s important to know how to respond appropriately in French. These responses can be formal or informal, depending on the context. Below are various ways to respond, with their pronunciations and example sentences.
1. J’arrive
Pronunciation: zhah-reev
Meaning: I’m coming.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Dépêche-toi, nous partons! (Hurry up, we’re leaving!)
Person 2: J’arrive! (I’m coming!)
2. Tout de suite
Pronunciation: too duh sweet
Meaning: Right away.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Monte rapidement! (Go up quickly!)
Person 2: Tout de suite! (Right away!)
3. D’accord
Pronunciation: dah-kohr
Meaning: Okay, agreed.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Grimpe là-haut pour voir. (Climb up there to see.)
Person 2: D’accord. (Okay.)
4. Je me dépêche
Pronunciation: zhuh muh day-pesh
Meaning: I’m hurrying.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Allez, bouge-toi! (Come on, move it!)
Person 2: Je me dépêche! (I’m hurrying!)
5. Pas de problème
Pronunciation: pah duh proh-blem
Meaning: No problem.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Montez vite, s’il vous plaît! (Go up quickly, please!)
Person 2: Pas de problème. (No problem.)
6. Je suis prêt(e)
Pronunciation: zhuh swee preh(t)
Meaning: I’m ready.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Dépêchez-vous, êtes-vous prêts? (Hurry up, are you ready?)
Person 2: Je suis prêt! (I’m ready!)
7. J’y vais
Pronunciation: zhee vay
Meaning: I’m going/I’m on my way.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Allez là-haut maintenant! (Go up there now!)
Person 2: J’y vais! (I’m on my way!)
8. Oui, tout de suite
Pronunciation: wee, too duh sweet
Meaning: Yes, right away.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Grimpe à l’arbre rapidement! (Climb the tree quickly!)
Person 2: Oui, tout de suite! (Yes, right away!)
9. Ça marche
Pronunciation: sah marsh
Meaning: That works/Okay.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Va en haut et vérifie. (Go up and check.)
Person 2: Ça marche! (Okay!)
10. Je suis en route
Pronunciation: zhuh swee ahn root
Meaning: I’m on the way.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Accélère, on doit y aller! (Hurry up, we need to go!)
Person 2: Je suis en route! (I’m on the way!)
11. Je monte
Pronunciation: zhuh mohnt
Meaning: I’m going up.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Tu montes tout de suite? (Are you going up right now?)
Person 2: Je monte. (I’m going up.)
12. Oui, bien sûr
Pronunciation: wee, byan soor
Meaning: Yes, of course.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Monte là-haut et regarde. (Go up there and look.)
Person 2: Oui, bien sûr. (Yes, of course.)
13. Pas maintenant
Pronunciation: pah mahn-tehn-ahnt
Meaning: Not now.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Monte rapidement! (Go up quickly!)
Person 2: Pas maintenant, je suis occupé. (Not now, I’m busy.)
Exercise to Practice Success: “Up” in French
Here are 12 fill-in-the-blank sentences using the expressions for “up” in French. Each sentence is written in French, followed by the English meaning. Try to complete them with the correct word or phrase. The answers are provided below.
Fill-in-the-Blanks:
- Dépêche-toi, le bus arrive ______ !
(Hurry up, the bus is arriving ______!) - Les étoiles brillent ______ dans le ciel.
(The stars are shining ______ in the sky.) - ______ à l’étage, ta chambre est prête.
(______ upstairs, your room is ready.) - Je vais ______ pour voir ce qui se passe.
(I’ll go ______ to see what’s happening.) - Monte plus ______ pour attraper le ballon.
(Climb ______ to catch the ball.) - Réveille-toi ______, il est déjà tard.
(Wake ______, it’s already late.) - La lampe est suspendue ______ de la table.
(The lamp is hanging ______ the table.) - ______ vite, sinon on va rater le train !
(______ quickly, or we’ll miss the train!) - Grimpe ______ à l’arbre pour voir le nid.
(Climb ______ the tree to see the nest.) - Il faut pousser la chaise ______ pour entrer.
(You need to push the chair ______ to get in.) - Elle s’est levée et a regardé ______ pour admirer le plafond.
(She stood up and looked ______ to admire the ceiling.) - Relève-toi après ta chute et monte ______.
(Stand up after your fall and climb ______.)
Answers:
- rapidement (quickly)
- en haut (up above)
- Monte (Go up)
- en haut (up)
- haut (higher)
- vite (quickly)
- au-dessus (above)
- Dépêche-toi (Hurry up)
- plus haut (higher)
- vers le haut (upward)
- vers le haut (upward)
- là-haut (up there)
Conclusion
Learning how to say “up” in French and understanding its many variations can help you communicate effectively in different situations. Whether you’re giving directions, asking someone to hurry up, or describing movement, these phrases give you the tools to express yourself naturally.
By practicing the exercises and exploring different contexts, you’ll feel more confident using these expressions in real-life conversations. Remember, the more you use them, the easier they’ll become. Keep practicing, and soon these phrases will feel as natural as speaking in English. Bonne chance! (Good luck!)