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:

物価が高いです。

Bukka ga takai desu

Prices are high.

Prices are high.

• 物価 - Price of goods and services in an economy.
• が - Subject particle.
• 高い - Adjective that means "expensive" or "high".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.

確率は高いですか？

Kakuritsu wa takai desu ka?

Is the probability high?

• 確率 (kakuritsu) - probability
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 高い (takai) - tall, in this case, "he is tall"
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense
• か？ (ka?) - interrogative particle

私の狙いは高い目標を達成することです。

Watashi no nerai wa takai mokuhyō o tassei suru koto desu

My goal is to achieve high goals.

• 私 (watashi) - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 狙い (nerai) - noun meaning "goal" or "target"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 高い (takai) - adjective that means "high" or "elevated"
• 目標 (mokuhyou) - noun meaning "goal" or "objective"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 達成する (tassei suru) - compound verb meaning "to reach" or "to achieve"
• こと (koto) - noun indicating an abstract action or event
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence

私はあなたより背が高いです。

Watashi wa anata yori se ga takai desu

I'm taller than you.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• あなた (anata) - personal pronoun meaning "you"
• より (yori) - particle that indicates comparison, in this case, "more than"
• 背 (se) - noun that means "height" or "stature"
• が (ga) - Particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• 高い (takai) - adjective meaning "tall"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and courteous form of speech

私の月謝は高いです。

Watashi no getsusha wa takai desu

My monthly fee is expensive.

My monthly fee is high.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• の - possessive particle "of"
• 月謝 - monthly fee
• は - Topic particle
• 高い - High, dear
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

私の志向は高いです。

Watashi no shikou wa takai desu

My orientation is high.

• 私の - possessive pronoun "my"
• 志向 - noun meaning "goal" or "ambition"
• は - topic particle indicating that what follows is the main subject of the sentence
• 高い - adjective that means "high" or "elevated"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and polite form

私立学校は高いです。

Shiritsu gakkou wa takai desu

Private schools are expensive.

• 私立学校 (shiritsu gakkou) - private school
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 高い (takai) - expensive high
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

素質がある人は成功する可能性が高いです。

Soshitsu ga aru hito wa seikou suru kanousei ga takai desu

People with qualities will probably be successful.

• 素質 - quality, skill
• が - subject particle
• ある - exist, have
• 人 - person
• は - Topic particle
• 成功する - succeed
• 可能性 - possibility
• が - subject particle
• 高い - high
• です - to be (polite form)

背が高い人が好きです。

Se ga takai hito ga suki desu

I like tall people.

• 背が高い - adjective that means "tall in stature"
• 人 - noun that means "person"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 好き - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of discourse

費用が高いです。

Hiyou ga takai desu

The cost is high.

• 費用 - It means "cost" in Japanese.
• が - is a grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 高い - It means "tall" or "expensive" in Japanese.
• です - It is a polite way of saying "is" or "are" in Japanese.