Translation and Meaning of: 高い - takai

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 高い (たかい - takai). It is common in everyday vocabulary and appears in various contexts, from informal conversations to more formal situations. In this article, we will explore its meaning, practical uses, and some interesting facts that can help you memorize it more easily.

In addition to being a fundamental word for those who want to communicate in Japanese, 高い also carries interesting cultural nuances. Is it used only for high prices? How do Japanese people use it in different situations? Let's answer these questions and show how this word fits into everyday life in Japan.

The meaning and uses of 高い

In its most basic form, 高い (takai) means "high" or "expensive." When used to describe physical objects, such as buildings or mountains, it indicates height. In economic contexts, it refers to high prices. This duality of meanings is common in many languages, but in Japanese, the context always makes clear which sense is being used.

An interesting detail is that 高い is not limited to material things. It can also describe abstract qualities, such as "high reputation" (評判が高い - hyouban ga takai) or "great expectation" (期待が高い - kitai ga takai). This versatility makes the word frequently appear in newspapers, conversations, and even in animes.

How to memorize 高い effectively

A useful technique to remember 高い is to associate it with concrete situations. For example, imagine yourself in Tokyo, looking at the SkyTree, the tallest tower in Japan. Mentally repeat "SkyTree wa takai desu" (The SkyTree is tall). This visual association helps to cement the meaning of "tall."

Another tip is to create flashcards with everyday sentences, such as "このりんごは高いですね" (kono ringo wa takai desu ne - These apples are expensive, aren't they?). According to research on language learning, the brain retains words better when they are placed in real contexts, rather than in isolation.

The cultural perception behind 高い

In Japan, where modesty is valued, using 高い to compliment someone can be delicate. Saying "あなたの能力は高い" (anata no nouryoku wa takai - Your ability is high) sounds like a compliment, but in certain work environments, a Japanese person may respond with humility, downplaying their own merits. This behavior reflects deep cultural values.

Interestingly, in shops and markets, it's common to hear customers saying "高い！" upon seeing prices, even if they aren't actually complaining. It's almost an automatic expression, like a social habit. Foreign tourists are sometimes surprised by this reaction, but it is part of the shopping dynamics in Japan.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 高価 (kouka) - High price, expensive
• 高額 (kougaku) - High value; large amount of money
• 高値 (takane) - High price; high value
• 高め (takame) - A bit high; relatively high
• 高級 (koukyuu) - High quality; luxurious
• 高度 (koudou) - High altitude; also used in contexts of complexity or sophistication
• 高貴 (kouki) - Noble; elevated in dignity or status
• 高尚 (koushou) - High in morality; of noble feelings
• 高嶺 (takane) - High peak; a high level or standard
• 高峰 (kouhou) - Peak; height or maximum point

高い

Romaji: takai
Kana: たかい
Type: adjective
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: high; high; Dear

Meaning in English: tall;high;expensive

Definition: High, dear

Example Sentences - (高い) takai

See below some example sentences:

この商品の評価は高いです。

Kono shouhin no hyouka wa takai desu

The evaluation of this product is high.

The evaluation of this product is high.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 商品 - noun meaning "product" or "merchandise"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 評価 - noun that means "evaluation" or "classification"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 高い - adjective that means "high" or "elevated," but in this context means "good" or "excellent."
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and polite form

この製品の質は非常に高いです。

Kono seihin no shitsu wa hijō ni takai desu

The quality of this product is very high.

The quality of this product is very high.

• この - this
• 製品 - product
• の - of
• 質 - quality
• は - is
• 非常に - very
• 高い - high
• です - is (politeness)

この塀はとても高いです。

Kono hei wa totemo takai desu

This wall is very high.

This fence is very expensive.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 塀 - "wall"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb "very"
• 高い - adjective "tall"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この薬の効力は非常に高いです。

Kono kusuri no kouryoku wa hijou ni takai desu

The effect of this medicine is very high.

• この - this
• 薬 - medicine
• の - of
• 効力 - effectiveness
• は - is
• 非常に - very
• 高い - high
• です - is (politeness)

この製品の仕様は非常に高いです。

Kono seihin no shiyō wa hijō ni takai desu

The specifications of this product are very high.

• この - this
• 製品 - product
• の - of
• 仕様 - specifications
• は - is
• 非常に - extremely
• 高い - high
• です - is (polite way of putting it)

この機械の性能は非常に高いです。

Kono kikai no seino wa hijō ni takai desu

The performance of this machine is very high.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that indicates proximity, equivalent to "this" or "this"
• 機械 - noun meaning "machine"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship of belonging
• 性能 - noun meaning "performance" or "performance"
• は - particle that indicates the main theme of the sentence
• 非常に - adverb meaning "very" or "extremely"
• 高い - adjective that means "high" or "elevated"
• です - verb "to be" in the present affirmative

この建物の水準は非常に高いです。

Kono tatemono no suijun wa hijō ni takai desu

The level of this building is very high.

• この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one"
• 建物 - noun meaning "building" or "construction"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 水準 - noun meaning "level" or "standard"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 非常に - adverb meaning "very" or "extremely"
• 高い - adjective that means "high" or "elevated"
• です - verb ser/ estar in the present tense, indicating affirmation or politeness

このタワーはとても高いです。

Kono tawā wa totemo takai desu

This tower is very tall.

This tower is very expensive.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• タワー - noun that means "tower"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 高い - adjective meaning "tall"
• です - linking verb that indicates formality and courtesy in the Japanese language

この建物は階層が高いです。

Kono tatemono wa kaisou ga takai desu

This building has many floors.

This building has a high level.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 建物 - noun meaning "building"
• は - topic particle indicating that the building is the subject of the sentence
• 階層 - noun meaning "floors" or "levels"
• が - subject particle indicating that "floors" is the subject of the sentence
• 高い - adjective meaning "tall"
• です - verb to be in the present tense

この店の商品は高いです。

Kono mise no shouhin wa takai desu

The products in this store are expensive.

The products in this store are expensive.

• この店の - indicates, in this case, "of this establishment"
• 商品 - means "product"
• は - particle that indicates the theme of the sentence, in this case, "product"
• 高い - adjective meaning "expensive"
• です - verb "to be" in the present, indicating an affirmation