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:

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.

横綱は相撲の最高位です。

Yokozuna wa sumou no saikoui desu

Yokozuna is the tallest in sumo wrestling.

• 横綱 - Yokozuna (highest rank in sumo)
• は - Topic particle
• 相撲 - Sumo (Japanese martial art)
• の - Possession particle
• 最高位 - Highest position
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

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

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.

相場が高騰している。

Sōba ga kōtō shite iru

The market price is on the rise.

The market is increasing.

• 相場 (sōba) - market price
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 高騰している (kōtō shite iru) - is rising quickly

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

私の銀行口座の残高は少ないです。

Watashi no ginkou kouza no zandaka wa sukunai desu

My bank account balance is low.

My bank account balance is small.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun meaning "I" in Japanese.
• の (no) - particle indicating possession or relationship between two things.
• 銀行 (ginkou) - Noun that means "bank" in Japanese.
• 口座 (kouza) - Noun that means "account" in Japanese.
• の (no) - particle indicating possession or relationship between two things.
• 残高 (zandaka) - Noun that means "balance" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "balance".
• 少ない (sukunai) - Adjective meaning "little" or "low" in Japanese.
• です (desu) - Auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or respectful way of speaking in Japanese.

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

私は高等学校に通っています。

Watashi wa kōtōgakkō ni kayotte imasu

I am attending high school.

I'm going to high school.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 高等学校 (koutou gakkou) - The noun that means "high school".
• に (ni) - grammatical particle that indicates the direction or purpose of the action, in this case "to go to"
• 通っています (kayotteimasu) - The verb that means "to be attending" in the polite present continuous form is "通っています" (している, shite iru) for informal contexts.