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A1 adjective #1,000 am häufigsten 9 Min. Lesezeit

높다

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At the A1 level, the word 높다 is primarily used to describe physical height in its simplest form. Learners at this stage should focus on using it to describe things like mountains (산), buildings (건물), and the sky (하늘). The most important grammatical point is learning the basic polite conjugation 높아요 and the noun-modifying form 높은. For example, '산이 높아요' (The mountain is high) or '높은 건물' (A high building). At this level, you don't need to worry about abstract meanings like social status or complex economic terms. Just think of it as the opposite of 낮다 (low). You will often see it in basic descriptions of nature or cityscapes. Remember that it is a regular adjective, so you don't need to change the 'ㅂ' when adding vowels. Practice identifying objects around you that are 'high' and use this word to describe them. It is one of the first adjectives you will learn because it is so visual and common in everyday life.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 높다 in more varied contexts, including basic measurements and comparisons. You will start to hear it in weather reports, such as '기온이 높다' (The temperature is high) or '파도가 높다' (The waves are high). This level also introduces the use of 높다 for grades and scores, which is very common in Korean culture. You should be able to form comparative sentences using 더 높다 (higher) and 가장 높다 (highest). For example, '이 산이 저 산보다 더 높아요' (This mountain is higher than that mountain). You will also encounter the word in simple idiomatic phrases like '눈이 높다' (to have high standards), which is a great way to start sounding more like a native speaker. Understanding the difference between 높다 (for objects) and 크다 (for people's height) becomes crucial at this stage to avoid common beginner mistakes. You should also be comfortable using it with connecting particles like -고 (and) and -아서/어서 (because).

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At the B1 level, the usage of 높다 expands into the realm of abstract concepts and social dynamics. You will use it to describe things like 'quality' (질이 높다), 'interest rates' (금리가 높다), and 'reputation' (명성이 높다). At this stage, you should understand how 높다 functions in news articles and more formal discussions. You will also learn the causative and passive-like forms such as 높이다 (to raise/increase something) and 높아지다 (to become high). For example, '가격을 높였어요' (They raised the price) or '인기가 높아졌어요' (Popularity became higher). This allows you to describe changes and actions rather than just static states. You will also encounter more Hanja-based words that use the '고' (high) root, helping you build a more academic vocabulary. Your ability to use 높다 in various tenses and with more complex grammar structures (like -을수록, 'the more... the more...') should be developing. For instance, '올라갈수록 기온이 낮아지고 고도가 높아져요' (The higher you go, the lower the temperature and the higher the altitude).

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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 높다 with precision in professional and academic contexts. You will use it to discuss 'probability' (가능성이 높다), 'efficiency' (효율이 높다), and 'competitiveness' (경쟁력이 높다). You should be able to distinguish between 높다 and its more specific synonyms like 뛰어나다 (outstanding) or 우수하다 (superior) depending on the context. This level also involves understanding more nuanced idiomatic expressions and cultural metaphors. For example, '콧대가 높다' (to be arrogant) or '목소리가 높다' (to be vocal/loudly advocate for something). You will see 높다 used in literature to describe emotions or atmospheres, such as '높은 이상' (high ideals). Your grasp of formal speech levels (합쇼체) and written styles (하라체) using 높다 should be solid. You can also use it in complex sentence structures to express conditions or hypothetical situations, such as '성공할 확률이 높다면 도전해 보세요' (If the probability of success is high, give it a try).

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At the C1 level, you use 높다 with a high degree of sophistication, often in the context of critical analysis and formal debate. You will encounter it in discussions about 'social stratification' (계층이 높다), 'intellectual levels' (지적 수준이 높다), and 'ethical standards' (도덕적 기준이 높다). You should be able to use the word to describe subtle differences in tone, style, and register. For example, in a literary critique, you might discuss the 'high level of completion' (완성도가 높다) of a work. You will also be familiar with archaic or poetic uses of the word in classical Korean literature or historical dramas. At this level, you can effortlessly switch between native Korean 높다 and its Sino-Korean counterparts depending on the desired level of formality and the specific field of study (e.g., economics, law, science). You can use the word to construct persuasive arguments, highlighting 'high risks' (위험도가 높다) or 'high potential' (잠재력이 높다) with appropriate supporting evidence and complex grammar.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 높다 is near-native, allowing you to use it in all its metaphorical, idiomatic, and technical glory. You understand the deepest cultural connotations of 'height' in Korean society, from the physical layout of traditional houses to the linguistic hierarchy of the language itself. You can use 높다 in highly specialized fields, such as physics (주파수가 높다 - high frequency), music theory (음정이 높다 - high pitch), or philosophy (차원이 높은 생각 - high-level/dimensional thinking). You can appreciate and use wordplay involving 높다 and its various meanings. Your ability to conjugate and integrate the word into any possible sentence structure is flawless. You can also identify and use very rare or regional variations of the word if they exist. At this level, 높다 is not just a word for 'high'; it is a versatile tool that you use to navigate the most complex and nuanced aspects of Korean communication, from high-stakes business negotiations to profound philosophical discussions.

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높다 (nop-da) means 'to be high' and is used for physical objects like mountains and buildings, as well as abstract levels like grades and prices.
It is a regular adjective, conjugating to 높아요 (polite) and 높은 (noun-modifying). It never changes the 'ㅂ' to '우' like some other adjectives.
Do not use it for a person's height; use '키가 크다' instead. It is also used for high pitch, but not for loud volume (use '크다').
Common idioms include '눈이 높다' (high standards) and '콧대가 높다' (arrogant). It is essential for discussing weather, economy, and social status.

The Korean word 높다 (nop-da) is a fundamental adjective primarily used to describe physical height, but its utility extends far into abstract concepts, social hierarchies, and quantitative measurements. At its core, it translates to 'to be high' or 'to be tall' when referring to inanimate objects or structures. Unlike English, which often uses 'tall' for people and 'high' for mountains, Korean distinguishes between 크다 (for human height) and 높다 (for objects and abstract levels). Understanding this distinction is the first step for any English speaker mastering Korean.

Physical Elevation: This is the most literal usage. When you look at the Lotte World Tower in Seoul or the peaks of Seoraksan, you use 높다. It describes the vertical distance from the ground to the top of an object.

저 산은 정말 높아요. (That mountain is really high.)

Abstract Levels and Standards: Beyond the physical, 높다 is used to describe high standards, high quality, or high expectations. If someone has 'high eyes' (눈이 높다), it means they have high standards or are picky. It also applies to high grades or scores in school.

In social contexts, 높다 describes status or position. A 'high' position in a company (지위가 높다) or a 'high' reputation (명성이 높다) uses this word. It carries a sense of respect and verticality that is deeply embedded in the hierarchical nature of Korean society. Even the pitch of a voice or the frequency of a sound is described using this adjective.

그는 사회적 지위가 높습니다. (He has a high social status.)

Quantitative Measurements: In daily news, you will hear 높다 regarding temperatures (기온), prices (물가), and interest rates (금리). If the cost of living is rising, Koreans say the 'price level is high'.

요즘 물가가 너무 높아요. (Prices are too high these days.)

Finally, the word appears in many idiomatic expressions. For example, '콧대가 높다' (the bridge of the nose is high) describes someone who is arrogant or stuck-up. This variety of usage makes 높다 one of the most versatile adjectives in the Korean language, moving seamlessly from the physical world to the psychological and economic realms.

그 가수는 인기가 매우 높아요. (That singer's popularity is very high.)

하늘이 파랗고 높습니다. (The sky is blue and high.)

Using 높다 correctly requires understanding its conjugation and its role as a descriptive verb (adjective) in Korean grammar. In Korean, adjectives function similarly to verbs, meaning they can end a sentence or modify a noun directly. To use 높다 at the end of a sentence, you must conjugate it based on the level of formality and the tense.

Sentence-Ending Conjugations: In the present tense, the informal polite form is 높아요 (nop-a-yo), and the formal polite form is 높습니다 (nop-seum-ni-da). If you are talking to yourself or writing in a journal, you use the plain form 높다.

이 건물은 정말 높아요. (This building is really high.)

Modifying Nouns: To describe a noun (e.g., 'a high mountain'), you change 높다 into 높은 (nop-eun). The addition of -은 allows the adjective to act as an attributive, coming before the noun it describes.

높은 산에 올라갔어요. (I went up a high mountain.)

Past tense conjugation follows the standard pattern: 높았어요 (nop-at-eo-yo). This is used when describing something that was high in the past, such as past prices or past standards. Future tense is usually expressed as 높을 거예요 (nop-eul geo-ye-yo), indicating a prediction that something will be high.

어제는 파도가 높았어요. (The waves were high yesterday.)

Comparatives and Superlatives: To say 'higher', you use 더 높다 (deo nop-da). To say 'highest', you use 가장 높다 (gajang nop-da) or 제일 높다 (je-il nop-da). These are essential for comparing buildings, mountains, or test scores.

에베레스트 산이 세계에서 가장 높아요. (Mount Everest is the highest in the world.)

In more advanced usage, 높다 can be combined with other verbs. For instance, 높여 주다 means 'to raise (something) for someone', and 높아지다 means 'to become high' or 'to increase'. These variations allow you to describe dynamic changes in height or level, such as a rising temperature or an increasing interest rate.

기온이 점점 높아지고 있어요. (The temperature is gradually getting higher.)

목소리를 높이지 마세요. (Don't raise your voice.)

The word 높다 is ubiquitous in South Korea, appearing in everything from casual conversations to formal news broadcasts. Because Korea is a mountainous country, you will hear 높다 constantly when people discuss hiking, travel, or the landscape. However, its presence in the urban environment and the media is equally strong.

In the News and Economy: Economic news is perhaps the most common place to hear 높다. Reporters frequently discuss 'high inflation' (물가 상승률이 높다), 'high unemployment' (실업률이 높다), or 'high stock prices' (주가가 높다). It is the standard word for any statistical increase.

이번 달은 습도가 매우 높겠습니다. (Humidity will be very high this month.)

In the Education System: In Korea's competitive education culture, 높다 is used to describe grades (성적), competition rates for universities (경쟁률), and the difficulty level of exams (난이도). Students often talk about wanting 'high scores'.

그 대학교는 입학 점수가 아주 높아요. (That university's admission score is very high.)

In the workplace, 높다 is used to refer to superiors or those in higher positions. You might hear someone say '높은 분' (a high person) to refer to an executive or a high-ranking official. It is also used in discussions about work efficiency or productivity (생산성이 높다).

이 제품은 가성비가 높기로 유명해요. (This product is famous for having high value for money.)

In Daily Life and Social Media: Social media users might talk about 'high engagement' or 'high view counts'. In restaurants, people might comment on the 'high quality' of the ingredients (질이 높다). Even in sports, a 'high jump' or a 'high ball' uses this term.

조회수가 생각보다 높네요! (The view count is higher than I thought!)

Whether you are reading a weather forecast, looking at a menu, or discussing politics, 높다 is a key word that helps you navigate the vertical dimensions of Korean life and language. It is a word that bridges the gap between the physical landscape and the societal structure.

그는 자존감이 높은 사람이에요. (He is a person with high self-esteem.)

파도가 높으니 조심하세요. (The waves are high, so be careful.)

For English speakers, the most common mistakes with 높다 stem from the nuances of how English uses 'tall', 'high', and 'loud'. Korean is very specific about which adjectives apply to which nouns. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Korean sound much more natural.

Mistake 1: Using '높다' for People's Height: In English, we say 'He is high' (usually meaning something else!) or 'He is tall'. In Korean, you never use 높다 for a person's height. You must use 키가 크다 (height is big). Saying '그는 높아요' sounds like he is physically elevated off the ground, like he's floating.

❌ 제 친구는 높아요. (My friend is high.)
✅ 제 친구는 키가 커요. (My friend is tall.)

Mistake 2: Confusing '높다' with '길다' (Long): Sometimes learners confuse vertical length with height. While a building is 높다, a rope or a road is 길다. If you are talking about the length of a vertical object like a pole, 길다 is often more appropriate if the focus is on the object's dimension rather than its elevation.

Another mistake is using 높다 for 'loud'. In English, we might say 'Turn the volume up high'. In Korean, volume is described as 크다 (big). However, 높다 is used for pitch. So, a high-pitched voice is 목소리가 높다, but a loud voice is 목소리가 크다.

❌ 소리가 너무 높아요. (The sound is too high - meaning loud.)
✅ 소리가 너무 커요. (The sound is too loud.)

Mistake 3: Incorrect Conjugation of '높다': Some learners try to apply the 'ㅂ' irregular rule (like in 덥다 -> 더워요) to 높다. However, 높다 is a regular adjective. The 'ㅂ' stays. It is 높아요, not 노와요.

❌ 산이 노와요.
✅ 산이 높아요.

Finally, be careful with the word 'high' in the context of 'expensive'. While you can say '가격이 높다' (the price is high), it is much more common in daily speech to say '비싸다' (to be expensive). Using 높다 for prices sounds a bit more formal or statistical.

이 사과는 가격이 높아요. (This apple's price is high - grammatically correct but '비싸요' is more natural.)

그는 높은 목소리로 노래해요. (He sings with a high-pitched voice.)

While 높다 is the most common way to say 'high', Korean offers several synonyms and related words that carry specific nuances. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are talking about physical height, intensity, or social status.

높다 vs. 크다 (Big/Tall): As mentioned, 크다 is used for people's height and general size. 높다 is specifically for vertical elevation. You can say a building is 크다 (meaning it is a large building overall) or 높다 (meaning it has many floors/is tall).

높다 vs. 고(高)- (Prefix for High): In formal or academic settings, the Hanja prefix 고 (go) is used. For example, 고혈압 (high blood pressure), 고득점 (high score), or 고층 (high floor). While 높다 is the native Korean adjective, 고 is the building block for Sino-Korean nouns.

그는 고소공포증이 있어요. (He has a fear of heights/acrophobia.)

솟다 (To Soar/Tower): This is a verb that describes the action of something rising high or towering over something else. It is more descriptive and dynamic than the static adjective 높다.

빌딩이 하늘로 솟아 있어요. (The building is soaring into the sky.)

For abstract concepts like quality or skill, you might use 훌륭하다 (to be excellent) or 뛰어나다 (to be outstanding) instead of just saying 'high'. While '질이 높다' (quality is high) is common, '질이 훌륭하다' adds a layer of praise.

그녀의 실력은 매우 뛰어나요. (Her skill is very outstanding - better than just saying 'high'.)

위 (Above/Top): Sometimes, instead of an adjective, you use the location noun 위. For example, '책상 위에' (on top of the desk). While 높다 describes the property of being high, 위 describes the position.

선반 높은 곳에 있어요. (It's in a high place on the shelf.)

Understanding these alternatives allows you to be more precise. Use 높다 as your default for height and levels, but branch out to 고- for technical terms, 크다 for size/volume, and 뛰어나다 for excellence.

이 건물은 고층 건물입니다. (This building is a high-rise building.)

성적이 높아서 기뻐요. (I am happy because my grades are high.)

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word '높다' is the root for '높임말' (honorific language). This reflects the deep cultural connection between physical height and social respect in Korea.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /nop.t͈a/

US /nop.t͈a/

The stress is equal on both syllables, but the second syllable '다' is pronounced with more tension (tensed 'tt').

Reimt sich auf

돕다 (dop-da - to help) 좁다 (jop-da - to be narrow) 곱다 (gop-da - to be beautiful/fine) 뽑다 (ppop-da - to pull out) 업다 (eop-da - to carry on back) 잡다 (jap-da - to catch) 접다 (jeop-da - to fold) 입다 (ip-da - to wear)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing it as 'no-ba' (forgetting the final p).
Applying the ㅂ-irregular rule and saying 'no-wa-yo' instead of 'nop-a-yo'.
Pronouncing the 'p' too strongly like an English 'p' at the end of a word.
Failing to tense the 'd' in 'da' to 'tt'.
Confusing the vowel 'o' (ㅗ) with 'u' (ㅜ).

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 1/5

Very easy to read; one of the first adjectives learned.

Schreiben 2/5

Regular conjugation makes it easy, but don't forget the final 'p'.

Sprechen 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but watch the 'p' to 'tt' transition.

Hören 1/5

Clear sound, easily distinguishable in most contexts.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

산 (Mountain) 건물 (Building) 크다 (Big) 낮다 (Low)

Als Nächstes lernen

깊다 (Deep) 넓다 (Wide) 비싸다 (Expensive) 성적 (Grades)

Fortgeschritten

고도 (Altitude) 위상 (Status/Phase) 함유량 (Content amount) 변별력 (Discriminatory power)

Wichtige Grammatik

Adjective + -은 (Noun Modifying)

높은 빌딩 (High building)

Adjective + -아/어지다 (To become)

기온이 높아져요 (Temperature becomes higher)

Adjective + -게 (Adverbial)

높게 날아요 (Flies high)

Adjective + -이 (Noun/Adverb)

높이 (Height / Highly)

Adjective + -아/어서 (Reason)

높아서 무서워요 (It's high, so I'm scared)

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Beispiele nach Niveau

산이 정말 높아요.

The mountain is really high.

Present tense, informal polite form.

저 건물은 높습니다.

That building is high.

Present tense, formal polite form.

높은 산에 가고 싶어요.

I want to go to a high mountain.

Noun-modifying form '높은'.

하늘이 파랗고 높아요.

The sky is blue and high.

Using -고 to connect adjectives.

이 나무는 안 높아요.

This tree is not high.

Negative form using '안'.

에베레스트는 아주 높다.

Everest is very high.

Plain form, used in writing or to oneself.

구름이 높게 떠 있어요.

The clouds are floating high.

Adverbial form '높게'.

높은 곳이 무서워요.

I am afraid of high places.

Modifying the noun '곳' (place).

오늘 기온이 매우 높아요.

The temperature is very high today.

Used for temperature (기온).

시험 점수가 높아서 기뻐요.

I am happy because my test score is high.

Used for scores (점수).

이 산이 저 산보다 더 높아요.

This mountain is higher than that mountain.

Comparative form '더 높다'.

파도가 높으니 조심하세요.

The waves are high, so please be careful.

Reasoning suffix -(으)니.

제일 높은 건물이 어디예요?

Where is the highest building?

Superlative form '제일 높은'.

그녀는 눈이 아주 높아요.

She has very high standards.

Idiom: '눈이 높다' (high eyes).

어제는 습도가 높았어요.

The humidity was high yesterday.

Past tense '높았어요'.

목소리가 너무 높아요.

Your voice is too high-pitched.

Used for pitch (목소리).

한국은 교육열이 매우 높습니다.

The passion for education is very high in Korea.

Used for abstract passion/fever (열).

물가가 계속 높아지고 있어요.

Prices are continuing to get higher.

Becoming form '-아/어지다'.

이 제품은 품질이 아주 높아요.

This product has very high quality.

Used for quality (품질).

은행 금리가 너무 높아서 걱정이에요.

I'm worried because the bank interest rates are too high.

Used for interest rates (금리).

실력을 더 높여야 해요.

I need to raise my skills more.

Causative form '높이다' (to raise).

그는 사회적 지위가 높은 사람이에요.

He is a person with a high social status.

Used for status (지위).

성공할 가능성이 높다고 생각해요.

I think the possibility of success is high.

Used for probability/possibility (가능성).

가격을 높이면 손님이 줄어들 거예요.

If you raise the price, the number of customers will decrease.

Conditional '-면' with causative '높이다'.

이 지역은 범죄율이 매우 높습니다.

This area has a very high crime rate.

Used for rates (율).

그 가수는 인지도가 상당히 높아요.

That singer has a fairly high level of public recognition.

Used for recognition (인지도).

완성도가 높은 작품을 만들고 싶어요.

I want to create a work with a high level of completion.

Used for completion/perfection (완성도).

그는 콧대가 높아서 사과하지 않아요.

He is so arrogant that he doesn't apologize.

Idiom: '콧대가 높다' (arrogant).

생산성을 높이기 위해 노력하고 있습니다.

We are working to increase productivity.

Causative '높이다' with purpose '-기 위해'.

경쟁률이 높아서 합격하기 힘들어요.

The competition rate is high, so it's hard to pass.

Used for competition rates (경쟁률).

자존감이 높은 사람은 쉽게 포기하지 않아요.

People with high self-esteem do not give up easily.

Used for self-esteem (자존감).

비타민 함유량이 높은 과일을 드세요.

Eat fruits with a high vitamin content.

Used for content/amount (함유량).

그 정책은 실효성이 높지 않다는 비판을 받았다.

The policy was criticized for not being very effective.

Used for effectiveness (실효성).

학문적 수준이 높은 논문을 작성해야 합니다.

You must write a thesis with a high academic level.

Used for academic levels (수준).

이 영화는 예술적 가치가 매우 높게 평가됩니다.

This movie is evaluated as having very high artistic value.

Used for value (가치).

그는 도덕적 기준이 아주 높은 사람으로 알려져 있다.

He is known as a person with very high ethical standards.

Used for standards (기준).

목소리를 높여 사회 정의를 외쳤다.

They raised their voices and shouted for social justice.

Metaphorical use of 'raising one's voice'.

신뢰도가 높은 데이터를 사용하는 것이 중요합니다.

It is important to use highly reliable data.

Used for reliability (신뢰도).

그의 연설은 대중의 호응도가 매우 높았다.

His speech received a very high level of public response.

Used for response/reaction (호응도).

위험도가 높은 투자에는 신중해야 합니다.

You should be cautious with high-risk investments.

Used for risk level (위험도).

인간의 존엄성을 높이는 것이 우리 모두의 과제이다.

Raising human dignity is a task for all of us.

Philosophical use of 'raising' (높이는).

이 논문은 변별력이 높은 문항들을 분석하고 있다.

This paper analyzes items with high discriminatory power.

Technical term: 변별력 (discriminatory power).

고도의 집중력을 발휘하여 난관을 극복했다.

He overcame the difficulty by exercising a high degree of concentration.

Using '고도' (high degree) as a noun/prefix.

그 작가는 차원 높은 유머를 구사한다.

That writer uses high-level (sophisticated) humor.

Metaphorical 'high dimension' (차원 높은).

기대치가 높으면 실망도 큰 법이다.

If expectations are high, disappointment is bound to be great.

Proverbial usage with '기대치' (expectations).

주파수가 높은 전파는 직진성이 강하다.

Radio waves with high frequencies have strong directivity.

Scientific usage (주파수).

그의 명성은 하늘을 찌를 듯이 높았다.

His reputation was so high it seemed to pierce the sky.

Idiomatic expression for extreme height/fame.

문화적 역량을 높이는 정책이 시급하다.

Policies to raise cultural capabilities are urgent.

Formal administrative language.

Häufige Kollokationen

산이 높다

점수가 높다

물가가 높다

기온이 높다

파도가 높다

지위가 높다

가능성이 높다

품질이 높다

콧대가 높다

눈이 높다

Häufige Phrasen

높은 곳

— A high place. Used to refer to elevation or top shelves.

높은 곳에 올라가면 경치가 좋아요.

높은 사람

— A person of high status. Often used for bosses or officials.

오늘 높은 분들이 오신대요.

높은 점수

— A high score. Essential for talking about exams or games.

높은 점수를 받아서 장학금을 탔어요.

높은 가격

— A high price. More formal than saying 'expensive'.

높은 가격 때문에 구매를 포기했어요.

높은 하늘

— High sky. A common poetic description for autumn weather.

가을의 높은 하늘을 좋아해요.

높은 수준

— A high level. Used for skills, quality, or standards.

이 공연은 수준이 아주 높아요.

높은 파도

— High waves. Used in weather warnings or descriptions of the sea.

높은 파도 때문에 배가 못 떠요.

높은 빌딩

— A high building. Used for skyscrapers.

서울에는 높은 빌딩이 정말 많네요.

높은 산맥

— A high mountain range. Used in geography.

태백산맥은 한국에서 가장 높은 산맥 중 하나예요.

높은 소리

— A high-pitched sound. Used for music or voices.

높은 소리가 귀를 아프게 해요.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

높다 vs 크다

Used for people's height and general size. '높다' is for vertical elevation of objects.

높다 vs 길다

Used for length. A road is '길다', but a mountain is '높다'.

높다 vs 비싸다

Used for expensive prices. While '가격이 높다' is correct, '비싸다' is more common in speech.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"눈이 높다"

— To have high standards; to be picky. Literally 'eyes are high'.

그는 눈이 높아서 아직 결혼을 안 했어요.

Informal/Neutral

"콧대가 높다"

— To be arrogant or stuck-up. Literally 'the bridge of the nose is high'.

그 배우는 콧대가 높기로 소문났어요.

Informal/Neutral

"목소리가 높다"

— To be vocal about something; to strongly advocate. Literally 'voice is high'.

환경 보호에 대한 목소리가 높아요.

Neutral/Formal

"담이 높다"

— To be difficult to approach or communicate with. Literally 'the wall is high'.

그 집안은 담이 높아서 친해지기 어려워요.

Literary/Metaphorical

"이름이 높다"

— To be very famous or well-known. Literally 'name is high'.

그는 학계에서 이름이 높은 학자예요.

Formal

"뜻이 높다"

— To have noble ambitions or high ideals. Literally 'will/intent is high'.

그는 뜻이 높은 청년입니다.

Formal/Literary

"콧대를 꺾다"

— To humble someone; to take someone down a peg. Literally 'to break the bridge of the nose'.

그의 높은 콧대를 꺾어 주겠어.

Informal

"높은 벼슬"

— A high government office (historical/metaphorical).

그는 높은 벼슬을 지낸 집안 출신이에요.

Historical/Formal

"하늘 높은 줄 모르다"

— To be excessively arrogant or for prices to soar endlessly. Literally 'not knowing how high the sky is'.

물가가 하늘 높은 줄 모르고 치솟고 있어요.

Neutral/Idiomatic

"자존심이 높다"

— To have a lot of pride. Literally 'self-respect is high'.

그는 자존심이 높아서 도움을 거절했어요.

Neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

높다 vs 크다

Both can translate to 'tall' in English.

'크다' is for people and overall volume/size. '높다' is for elevation from the ground.

그는 키가 커요 (He is tall). 산이 높아요 (The mountain is high).

높다 vs 길다

Both refer to dimensions.

'길다' is horizontal or total length. '높다' is vertical height.

머리가 길어요 (Hair is long). 천장이 높아요 (The ceiling is high).

높다 vs 깊다

Both are vertical measurements.

'깊다' is downward (deep). '높다' is upward (high).

바다가 깊어요 (The sea is deep). 파도가 높아요 (The waves are high).

높다 vs 많다

Sometimes 'high amount' is confused with 'high'.

'많다' is for quantity. '높다' is for levels or rates.

사람이 많아요 (There are many people). 경쟁률이 높아요 (The competition rate is high).

높다 vs 세다

High intensity vs high level.

'세다' is for strength/force. '높다' is for levels.

바람이 세요 (The wind is strong). 기온이 높아요 (The temperature is high).

Satzmuster

N이/가 높아요.

산이 높아요.

높은 N

높은 건물

N보다 더 높아요.

저 빌딩보다 더 높아요.

가장 높은 N

가장 높은 산

N이/가 높아지고 있어요.

물가가 높아지고 있어요.

N을/를 높여야 해요.

실력을 높여야 해요.

N이/가 높기로 유명하다.

품질이 높기로 유명해요.

N이/가 높다는 평가를 받다.

완성도가 높다는 평가를 받았다.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

높이 (nopi - height/altitude)

높낮이 (nomnaji - pitch/rise and fall)

고도 (godo - altitude)

높임말 (nopimmal - honorifics)

Verben

높이다 (nopida - to raise/increase)

높아지다 (nopajida - to become high)

드높다 (deunopda - to be very high/lofty)

Adjektive

높다랗다 (nopdarata - to be rather high)

드높다 (deunopda - to be sky-high)

Verwandt

낮다 (najda - to be low)

깊다 (gipda - to be deep)

넓다 (neolpda - to be wide)

길다 (gilda - to be long)

크다 (keuda - to be big)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely high; one of the top 100 most used adjectives in Korean.

Häufige Fehler

그는 높아요. → 그는 키가 커요.
You cannot use '높다' for a person's height. Use '키가 크다' (height is big).
산이 노와요. → 산이 높아요.
'높다' is a regular adjective. Do not apply the ㅂ-irregular rule.
음악 소리가 너무 높아요. → 음악 소리가 너무 커요.
Use '크다' for loud volume. '높다' is only for high pitch.
가격이 높아요. (in casual store) → 비싸요.
While '가격이 높다' is correct, '비싸다' is much more natural in a casual shopping context.
길이 높아요. → 길이 길어요.
A road is 'long' (길다), not 'high' (높다), unless you are talking about its elevation above sea level.

Tipps

Regular Conjugation

Remember that '높다' is regular. Don't be tempted to change it to '노와요'. It is always '높아요' in the polite form. This is a common test trap!

Buildings vs. People

Always use '높다' for buildings and '크다' for people. If you say a person is '높다', it sounds like they are standing on a ladder or floating.

Abstract Levels

Use '높다' for anything that can be measured on a scale: temperatures, grades, prices, interest rates, and probability.

High Eyes

Learn '눈이 높다' early. It's a very common way to describe someone who is picky or has high standards. It's a great 'native-sounding' phrase.

The Final P

The final 'p' (ㅍ) in '높' is not popped. It's a 'stop' sound. Your lips should close and stay closed until you start the next syllable.

Formal Contexts

In formal writing, use '높다' or '높습니다'. In news reports, you will almost always hear '높습니다' when discussing statistics.

Autumn Sky

In autumn, Koreans love to say '하늘이 높다'. It's a classic way to compliment the clear fall weather. Use it to impress your Korean friends!

More and Most

Combine '더' (more) or '가장/제일' (most) with '높다' to make comparisons. '이게 제일 높아요' is a very useful sentence.

Listen for 'Nop'

Whenever you hear 'mul-ga' (prices) or 'seong-jeok' (grades), listen for 'nop-da' right after. They are very common partners.

Volume vs Pitch

Don't use '높다' for loud music. Use '크다'. Only use '높다' if you are talking about the musical notes being high (pitch).

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'No-P' zone where things are so 'High' that you can't reach them. 'Nop' sounds like 'Nope, I can't reach that high!'

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a giant 'N' shaped like a mountain peak reaching into the clouds. The 'P' at the end of 'Nop' is like a person standing at the bottom looking up.

Word Web

산 (Mountain) 빌딩 (Building) 하늘 (Sky) 점수 (Score) 가격 (Price) 지위 (Status) 기온 (Temperature) 파도 (Wave)

Herausforderung

Try to find five things in your room that are '높다' and say '이것은 높아요' for each one. Then, find something with a '높은 가격' (high price) in an online store.

Wortherkunft

The word '높다' is a native Korean adjective (pure Korean). It has been used since Middle Korean in forms very similar to its modern usage.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The original meaning was strictly physical, referring to the vertical distance from the ground.

Koreanic

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using '콧대가 높다' (arrogant) as it can be insulting. Also, referring to someone as a '높은 분' can be seen as slightly sarcastic if not used in the right formal context.

English speakers often use 'tall' for people, but Koreans use 'big' (크다). Using '높다' for a person sounds very strange to Koreans, almost like you're calling them a building.

Lotte World Tower (Korea's highest building) Hallasan (South Korea's highest mountain) The song '높은 하늘 아래' (Under the High Sky)

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Talking about Nature

산이 높아요.
하늘이 높아요.
파도가 높아요.
나무가 높아요.

Talking about School

점수가 높아요.
경쟁률이 높아요.
수준이 높아요.
합격률이 높아요.

Talking about Money

물가가 높아요.
금리가 높아요.
가격이 높아요.
수익률이 높아요.

Talking about Weather

기온이 높아요.
습도가 높아요.
자외선 지수가 높아요.
미세먼지 농도가 높아요.

Talking about People

눈이 높아요.
콧대가 높아요.
지위가 높아요.
자존감이 높아요.

Gesprächseinstiege

"한국에서 가장 높은 산이 어디예요? (What is the highest mountain in Korea?)"

"요즘 물가가 너무 높지 않아요? (Aren't prices too high these days?)"

"시험 점수가 높게 나왔어요? (Did you get a high score on the exam?)"

"높은 곳을 무서워하세요? (Are you afraid of high places?)"

"눈이 높은 편이세요? (Do you have high standards?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

내가 가본 가장 높은 곳에 대해 써 보세요. (Write about the highest place you have ever been.)

나의 목표를 높게 잡는 것이 왜 중요한지 써 보세요. (Write about why it is important to set high goals.)

요즘 한국의 물가에 대해 어떻게 생각하는지 써 보세요. (Write about what you think of Korean prices these days.)

내가 가진 '높은 기준'은 무엇인지 써 보세요. (Write about what 'high standards' you have.)

자존감을 높이기 위해 무엇을 할 수 있을까요? (What can you do to raise your self-esteem?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, you should use '키가 크다' (height is big). Using '높다' for a person is a common mistake for English speakers because we use 'tall' for both people and buildings. In Korean, '높다' is reserved for objects and abstract levels.

It is a regular adjective. Unlike words like '춥다' (cold) which change to '추워요', '높다' keeps the 'ㅂ' and becomes '높아요'. Other regular 'ㅂ' words include '좁다' (narrow) and '입다' (to wear).

To say 'higher', use '더 높다'. To say 'highest', use '가장 높다' or '제일 높다'. For example, '이 건물이 제일 높아요' (This building is the highest).

'높다' is an adjective (to be high), while '높이다' is a verb (to raise/make something high). Use '높다' to describe a state and '높이다' to describe an action, like 'raising the volume' or 'raising your grades'.

It literally means 'eyes are high', but it's an idiom meaning someone has high standards or is very picky, especially when choosing a partner or buying things.

No, for loud volume, use '크다' (big). '높다' is used for pitch (high-pitched voice). So, '소리가 커요' means 'the sound is loud', while '목소리가 높아요' means 'the voice is high-pitched'.

The opposite is '낮다' (naj-da), which means 'to be low'. It is used for physical height, levels, and rates, just like '높다'.

You add '-은' to the stem '높-', resulting in '높은'. For example, '높은 산' (a high mountain) or '높은 점수' (a high score).

It is grammatically correct and used in formal or statistical contexts. However, in daily conversation, Koreans usually say '비싸다' (to be expensive) instead of '가격이 높다'.

It literally means 'the bridge of the nose is high', but it's an idiom for being arrogant, proud, or stuck-up.

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