Translation and Meaning of: 高 - taka

The Japanese word 高[たか] is an essential term for anyone learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. It frequently appears in daily life, in expressions, and even in place names. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and practical uses, along with curiosities that can aid in memorization. If you have already used the Suki Nihongo dictionary, you know how important it is to understand every detail of these words that are so present in Japanese.

In addition to meaning "tall" or "expensive," 高[たか] carries interesting nuances that reflect aspects of Japanese society. Let's see how it is used in different contexts, from informal conversations to more formal constructions. If you have ever wondered why this word appears in so many compounds, keep reading to find out.

Meaning and uses of 高[たか]

The most common meaning of 高[たか] is "high," whether in a physical sense (like height) or a figurative sense (like elevated prices). In stores, you might hear phrases like "高すぎる" (too expensive), while in descriptions of places, it indicates altitude or greatness. This duality between the concrete and the abstract is part of what makes the word so versatile.

Another interesting use is in proper names, such as Takashi (高志) or Takako (高子), where the kanji 高 conveys the idea of nobility or excellence. In fact, many Japanese names use this character precisely because of its positive connotation. This illustrates how the Japanese language associates height not only with physical dimensions but also with moral qualities and status.

Origin and writing of the kanji 高

The kanji 高 has a pictographic origin that dates back to ancient China. It visually represents a tower or elevated structure, with the upper radical suggesting a roof and the lower part indicating the base. This composition helps to understand why the character retains its main meaning even after centuries of evolution.

In modern writing, 高 is composed of 10 strokes and belongs to the group of kanjis taught in the second year of Japanese elementary school. Its kun'yomi (Japanese reading) is たか, while the on'yomi (Chinese readings) include コウ, as in 高校[こうこう] (high school). Mastering these variations is crucial for those who want to read Japanese fluently.

Tips for memorizing and using 高[たか]

An effective way to memorize 高[たか] is to associate it with common compound words. For example, 高温[こうおん] (high temperature) and 高齢[こうれい] (advanced age) show how the kanji modifies the meaning of the following word. Creating flashcards with these examples can speed up your learning, especially if you practice with complete sentences.

Interestingly, 高 also appears in everyday terms such as 高台[たかだい] (elevated platform), used for residential areas safe against tsunamis. This practical use reflects how the Japanese language integrates geography and disaster prevention into its basic vocabulary. Observing these cultural connections makes the study more interesting and memorable.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• たか (taka) - Eagle
• こう (kou) - Height; high; expensive (used in various contexts)
• たかい (takai) - High; expensive
• たかまる (takamaru) - Increase; rise (in the sense of height or status)
• たかめる (takameru) - Increase; raise (focused on intensifying something)

高

Romaji: taka
Kana: たか
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: amount; value; volume; number; amount of money

Meaning in English: quantity;amount;volume;number;amount of money

Definition: To be above things.

Example Sentences - (高) taka

See below some example sentences:

私の妻は私の人生の中で最高の贈り物です。

Watashi no tsuma wa watashi no jinsei no naka de saikou no okurimono desu

My wife is the best gift of my life.

My wife is the best gift of my life.

• 私の妻 - "My wife" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 私の - "Meu" in Japanese
• 人生 - "Life" in Japanese
• の - Possessive particle in Japanese
• 中で - "Within" in Japanese
• 最高の - "The best" in Japanese
• 贈り物 - "Gift" in Japanese
• です - polite way of "being" in Japanese

私の自尊心は高いです。

Watashi no jisonshin wa takai desu

My self -esteem is high.

My self -esteem is high.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 自尊心 - noun meaning "self-esteem" or "self-pride"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 高い - adjective that means "high" or "lofty" and, in this context, is used to describe the level of self-esteem
• です - verb "to be" in the present tense, used to indicate that the sentence is in the present tense and that self-esteem is high

私の等級は高いです。

Watashi no tōkyū wa takai desu

My level is high.

My grade is high.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of"
• 等級 - noun that means "classification" or "level"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about"
• 高い - adjective that means "high" or "elevated"
• です - verb to be in polite form, equivalent to "is"

彼女の日本語能力は高い程度だ。

Kanojo no nihongo nouryoku wa takai teido da

Your proficiency in the Japanese language is at a high level.

Your Japanese skill is high.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - She
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 日本語 (nihongo) - Japanese language
• 能力 (nouryoku) - Skill, capacity
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 高い (takai) - High
• 程度 (teido) - Grade, level
• だ (da) - Informal form of the verb ser

幸せは人生の最高の目的です。

Shiawase wa jinsei no saikou no mokuteki desu

Happiness is the ultimate goal of life.

Happiness is the best purpose of life.

• 幸せ - happiness
• は - Topic particle
• 人生 - life
• の - Possession particle
• 最高 - the best
• の - Possession particle
• 目的 - objective
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

大木は林の中で一番高いです。

Taiki wa hayashi no naka de ichiban takai desu

The large tree is the highest of the forest.

The large tree is the highest of the forest.

• 大木 - Means "big tree" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that "大木" is the topic of the sentence.
• 林 - Means "forest" in Japanese.
• の - particle of possession in Japanese, indicating that "林" is the owner of something.
• 中 - means "in the middle" in Japanese.
• で - location particle in Japanese, indicating that "林" is the place where something happens.
• 一番 - means "the most" in Japanese, indicating that "大木" is the tallest tree.
• 高い - means "tall" in Japanese, indicating the characteristic of "大木".
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is a statement.

国産の車はとても信頼性が高いです。

Kokusansha no kuruma wa totemo shinraisei ga takai desu

Domestic cars are very reliable.

Household cars are very reliable.

• 国産 - means "produced in Japan"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 車 - means "car"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 信頼性 - means "reliability"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 高い - adjective that means "high" or "elevated"
• です - verb that indicates the polite way of saying or asking

割合が高いですね。

Wariai ga takai desu ne

The proportion is high

The percentage is high.

• 割合 (wariai) - proportion
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 高い (takai) - high
• です (desu) - polite way of being
• ね (ne) - confirmation particle

光熱費が高くて困っています。

Kounetsuhi ga takakute komatteimasu

I am concerned about the high cost of energy.

I'm having trouble because the utility bill is high.

• 光熱費 - expenses with electricity and heating
• が - subject particle
• 高くて - high and
• 困っています - I am worried

この液体の濃度は非常に高いです。

Kono ekitai no nōdo wa hijō ni takai desu

The concentration of this liquid is very high.

The concentration of this liquid is very high.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 液体 - Noun meaning "liquid"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between words
• 濃度 - noun that means "concentration"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 非常に - adverb meaning "very"
• 高い - adjective that means "high" or "elevated"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form