Bovenop

Bovenop is a Dutch preposition and adverb meaning "on top of" in a spatial sense, and also used figuratively to mean "in addition to" or "on top of that." It is formed from the elements boven (above) and op (on) and functions as a fixed multiword preposition that governs the following noun phrase.

In spatial use, bovenop denotes a position directly on the surface of another object. Examples: Het boek ligt bovenop de tafel. De doos zit bovenop de kast. In these cases it emphasizes that one object is resting on the surface of another.

In figurative use, bovenop is used to add information or burdens, often about costs or responsibilities. Examples: Bovenop de aankoopprijs komen nog verzend- en administratiekosten. De organisatie kreeg een extra taak, bovenop de huidige verantwoordelijkheden. This sense is common in everyday speech and in journalism.

Grammatical notes: bovenop is typically followed by a definite article and noun, as in bovenop de tafel, bovenop het dak. It can appear in formal or informal contexts and is more frequent in spoken Dutch, though also found in written prose. Etymology: it is a compound of boven and op meaning “above” and “on.” See also: op, boven.