Chinese word

高

Pronunciation

Pinyingāo

Meaning

  • adjectivetall

Example

他个子很高。tā gè zi hěn gāo

He is very tall.

Illustration for 高 (tall)

More examples

弟弟比我高。dì di bǐ wǒ gāo

My younger brother is taller than me.

Core concept

Something stands above a reference point, literally in space or figuratively in level, strength, or value.

Common phrases

  • 个子高gè zi gāo

    be tall

  • 比我高bǐ wǒ gāo

    be taller than me

Similar words

矮ǎi: Having little physical height, especially describing a person's short stature.

Definition in Chinese

表示在空间的垂直方向或抽象程度上比其他事物更高，具有较大的高度或强度。biǎo shì zài kōng jiān de chuí zhí fāng xiàng huò chōu xiàng chéng dù shàng bǐ qí tā shì wù gèng gāo jù yǒu jiào dà de gāo dù huò qiáng dù

Word origin

高 (gāo, "high") is traditionally traced to a picture of a tall raised structure, linking physical height with broader senses of level and degree.

Usage tips

  • After a subject, 很 (hěn, "very") often forms the natural neutral pattern for a descriptive adjective, so it does not always carry the strong force of English "very".

Other meanings

  • highadjective
  • expensiveadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word