Japanese Conversation · Level 9
90 words
Japanese word
高い
Pronunciation
Romajitakai
Meaning
- i-adjectivehigh
Example
この山は高いです。ko no yama wa taka i de su
This mountain is high.
More examples
空の高いところに鳥がいます。sora no taka i to ko ro ni tori ga i ma su
A bird is in a high place in the sky.
この塔は周りの建物より高いです。ko no tō wa mawa ri no tate mono yo ri taka i de su
This tower stands taller than the surrounding buildings.
Core concept
It marks something as above a relevant standard in position, degree, height, or cost.
Common phrases
背が高いse ga taka i
be tall
値段が高いne dan ga taka i
be expensive
声が高いkoe ga taka i
have a high-pitched voice
Definition in Japanese
物の高さや位置、程度・割合・価格などが基準を上回るさま。mono no taka sa ya i chi tei do wari ai ka kaku na do ga ki jun o uwa mawa ru sa ma
Word origin
The native adjective 高い (takai) developed from the classical adjective 高し (takashi), whose attributive form 高き (takaki) changed into the modern form.
Usage tips
- English uses different adjectives for vertical position, a person's height, and price, but Japanese uses 高い (takai) in all three settings, with the surrounding noun supplying the sense.