快速答案
acima 表示较高位置；em cima de 表示直接在某物上方，常有接触。
可靠的方法是先判断这个词在句子里的功能，再翻译。
每个词的作用
acima
above
Use acima for a higher position, number, rank, or earlier point in a text.
em cima de
on top of or over
Use em cima de for a concrete position directly over something, often with contact.
如何选择
- acima: Choose acima if the sentence points to a higher position, number, rank, or earlier point in a text.
- em cima de: Choose em cima de if the sentence points to a concrete position directly over something, often with contact.
例句
Veja o exemplo acima.
See the example above.
O livro está em cima da mesa.
The book is on the table.
常见误区
For an object resting on a surface, em cima de is natural. Acima da mesa may mean suspended higher than it.
放到语境中练习
从你的真实生活中选一个句子，写两遍：一次用 acima，一次用 em cima de。如果两个版本都可以，说明意思怎样变化。