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:

そのレストランは名高いです。

sono resutoran wa mei takai desu

This restaurant is famous.

The restaurant is famous.

• その - demonstrative pronoun "that"
• レストラン - noun "restaurant"
• は - Topic particle
• 名高い - adjective "famous"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

ビルは高いです。

Biru wa takai desu

The building is high.

The building is expensive.

• ビル - Japanese word meaning "building"
• は - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that the subject of the sentence is "building"
• 高い - adjective in Japanese that means "tall"
• です - verb of ser/estar in Japanese, which indicates that "building" is "tall"

不動産は高いです。

Fudousan wa takai desu

The real estate sector is expensive.

• 不動産 (fudousan) - real estate
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 高い (takai) - expensive
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

値段が高いです。

nedan ga takai desu

The price is high.

• 値段 - price
• が - subject particle
• 高い - expensive
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

家賃が高いですね。

Kyachin ga takai desu ne

The rent is expensive

The rent is high.

• 家賃 - rent
• が - subject particle
• 高い - expensive
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present
• ね - particle of confirmation or agreement

彼は高いビルから街を見下ろしていた。

Kare wa takai biru kara machi o mioroshite ita

He was looking at the city on top of a high building.

He looked at the city of a high building.

• 彼 (kare) - he (personal pronoun)
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 高い (takai) - tall (adjective)
• ビル (biru) - building (noun)
• から (kara) - of, from (particle)
• 街 (machi) - city ​​(noun)
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 見下ろしていた (mioroshiteita) - was looking down (verb in past progressive tense)

意識が高い人は成功する可能性が高いです。

Ishiki ga takai hito wa seikou suru kanousei ga takai desu

Highly conscious people will probably be successful.

• 意識が高い人 - Conscious people
• は - Topic particle
• 成功する - Success
• 可能性が高い - High probability
• です - Sentence-ending particle

格が高い店に行きたいです。

Kaku ga takai mise ni ikitai desu Translation: I want to go to a high

end store.

I want to go to a high-ranking store.

• 格が高い - means "of high quality" or "of high level".
• 店 - means "store" or "establishment".
• に - It's a particle that indicates the direction or the target of the action.
• 行きたい - it is a form of the verb "to go" in the present tense and indicates desire or will.
• です - It is a polite way to end a sentence in Japanese, equivalent to "please" or "thank you" in Portuguese.

海抜が高い場所は涼しいです。

Kaibatsu ga takai basho wa suzushii desu

Places with high altitude have a fresher temperature.

A place where the sea above sea level is high is cold.

• 海抜 - Altitude
• が - partícula que indica o sujeito de uma frase
• 高い - high
• 場所 - place
• は - partícula que indica o tópico de uma frase
• 涼しい - cool
• です - copula que indica polidez

湿度が高いと不快です。

Shitsudo ga takai to fukai desu

It is unpleasant if the humidity is high.

• 湿度 - humidity
• が - subject particle
• 高い - high
• と - Comparison particle
• 不快 - uncomfortable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present