Onderop

Onderop is a Dutch adverb and preposition that describes a position beneath or on the underside of something. It is formed from onder (under) and op (on) and is used to express that one object lies below another or on the lower side of it. The term is common in everyday speech and informal writing; in more formal contexts, speakers may choose more direct phrasing such as onder de tafel or aan de onderkant van een object, depending on the situation.

In contrast to bovenop, which means on top of, onderop specifies the lower side relative to a reference object. The expression can appear in constructions with verbs such as onderop leggen or onderop plaatsen, meaning to place something on the underside of another object, typically to reinforce, secure, or support it. The meaning can be literal—as a physical position—or, less commonly, used in a figurative sense to indicate a foundational or underlying aspect.

Nomenclature: onderop is not a proper noun; it does not designate a person or place unless used as a surname or as part of a fictional or place name. Regional variation exists in frequency and nuance, with some speakers using the fixed compound more often and others opting for explicit prepositional phrases.

See also: bovenop, onder, op.