高く
高く en 30 segundos
- Takaku means 'highly', 'upwards', or 'expensively'.
- It is the adverb form of the i-adjective 'takai'.
- Commonly used for physical height, prices, and evaluations.
- Essential for A2 level Japanese grammar and daily life.
The word 高く (takaku) is the adverbial form of the i-adjective takai, which encompasses concepts of physical height, high price, and metaphorical elevation. In Japanese, transforming an i-adjective into an adverb involves replacing the final -i with -ku, allowing it to modify verbs, other adjectives, or entire clauses. This specific word is indispensable because it covers a broad spectrum of human experience—from the literal height of a bird soaring in the sky to the abstract appreciation of a colleague's hard work. Understanding 高く requires a grasp of its three primary pillars: altitude, cost, and evaluation.
- Physical Elevation
- When describing movement or positioning, 高く indicates that an action is performed at a great height or is directed upwards. For example, jumping high or flying high uses this form to modify the verb of motion.
鳥が空を高く飛んでいます。(The bird is flying high in the sky.)
- Economic Value
- In the context of commerce, 高く describes selling or buying items at a premium. It modifies verbs like uru (to sell) or kau (to buy) to indicate a high transaction price. This is crucial for business negotiations and everyday shopping discussions.
この古いカメラを高く売りたいです。(I want to sell this old camera for a high price.)
- Social and Professional Evaluation
- Perhaps the most sophisticated use of 高く is in the realm of appraisal. Using it with the verb hyouka suru (to evaluate) means to hold someone or something in high regard. This is common in academic, artistic, and professional feedback.
彼の才能は高く評価されています。(His talent is highly evaluated/regarded.)
In summary, 高く is a versatile adverb that bridges the gap between the physical world and the world of values. Whether you are watching a rocket launch, haggling at a flea market, or praising a friend's cooking, this word provides the necessary elevation to your speech. Its usage is frequent in both casual conversation and formal writing, making it a cornerstone of A2-level Japanese proficiency. By mastering 高く, you move beyond simple descriptions of things being 'high' and start describing *how* things happen in relation to height and value.
Using 高く (takaku) correctly requires understanding its grammatical function as an adverbial modifier. Because it originates from an i-adjective, it carries the inherent 'meaning' of the adjective into the action described by the verb. This section explores the structural patterns you will encounter when integrating 高く into your Japanese sentences.
- Verb Modification Pattern
- The most common structure is [Adverb] + [Verb]. In this setup, 高く describes the manner in which the verb is performed. If the verb is 'to jump' (tobu), then 'takaku tobu' means 'to jump high'. If the verb is 'to stack' (tsumu), 'takaku tsumu' means 'to stack high'.
本を机の上に高く積みました。(I stacked the books high on the desk.)
- The 'Naru' (Become) Transformation
- When paired with the verb naru (to become), 高く indicates a change in state. This is used when prices rise or when a physical object increases in height. For example, 'bukka ga takaku naru' means 'prices are becoming high' (inflation).
最近、野菜の値段が高くなりました。(Lately, the price of vegetables has become high/expensive.)
- With Potential and Passive Forms
- In more advanced contexts, 高く is used with passive verbs to indicate how something is perceived by the public or a specific group. 'Takaku miraretai' means 'I want to be seen/regarded highly'.
彼は周囲から高く評価されることを望んでいます。(He hopes to be highly evaluated by those around him.)
When using 高く, always identify what action you are modifying. If you are describing the *state* of an object, use takai. If you are describing the *action* or the *result of a change*, use takaku. This distinction is the key to natural-sounding Japanese. As you practice, try to pair 高く with different verbs like kakageru (to hold up high), mizu wo maku (to spray water high), or sakebu (to shout loudly/at a high pitch) to see how the meaning shifts slightly while maintaining the core concept of elevation.
Real-world Japanese is filled with 高く (takaku) because it touches upon three universal human concerns: the environment, money, and social status. You will hear it in news reports, business meetings, and casual chatter at the supermarket. Understanding the context of where you hear it will help you decode the speaker's intent immediately.
- In the News and Weather
- Meteorologists often use 高く to describe cloud formations or wave heights. 'Nami ga takaku naru' (waves will become high) is a standard phrase in coastal weather warnings. Similarly, economic news will use it to describe the 'yen' becoming strong or prices rising.
明日は波が高くなるので注意してください。(Please be careful as waves will become high tomorrow.)
- In Business and Professional Settings
- In Japanese corporate culture, 'evaluation' is a constant topic. During performance reviews, a manager might say your work is 'takaku hyouka dekiru' (can be evaluated highly). This is a formal and polite way to give praise without being overly emotional.
新しいプロジェクトの成果は社内で高く評価されました。(The results of the new project were highly evaluated within the company.)
- In Sports and Competitions
- Commentators for sports like volleyball, basketball, or high jump use 高く constantly. 'Takaku tonda!' (He/She jumped high!) is the quintessential exclamation during a spike or a dunk. It conveys the excitement of physical prowess.
彼はバレーボールで誰よりも高く跳びます。(He jumps higher than anyone else in volleyball.)
Whether you're listening to a podcast about the economy or watching an anime where a character strives for the top, 高く will appear as a marker of achievement, value, or physical reach. Pay attention to the verbs that follow it; they will tell you whether the speaker is concerned with their wallet, their reputation, or the literal sky above them.
While 高く (takaku) is a relatively straightforward adverb, English speakers often stumble due to the differences in how 'high' and 'highly' function in English compared to Japanese. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Japanese sound much more natural and precise.
- Mistake 1: Confusing 'Takaku' with 'Ue ni'
- English speakers often use 'high' when they mean 'above' or 'on top of'. In Japanese, 高く describes the *extent* of height, whereas ue ni describes the *location*. You don't put a book 'takaku' the table; you put it 'ue ni'. You only use 'takaku' if you are stacking books to a great height.
❌ 机に高く置いてください。(Incorrect for 'Put it on the desk')
✅ 机の上に置いてください。(Correct)
- Mistake 2: Forgetting the Adverbial 'Ku'
- Beginners often forget to conjugate the adjective when it precedes a verb. Saying 'takai tobu' is a common error. In Japanese, adjectives cannot modify verbs directly without changing their form. Always remember: [i-adjective] - i + ku = Adverb.
❌ もっと高い飛んで!
✅ もっと高く飛んで!(Jump higher!)
- Mistake 3: Overusing 'Takaku' for Loudness
- In English, we might say 'turn it up high' for volume. In Japanese, 高く can be used for 'high-pitched' or 'loud' in specific cases (like 'takaku sakebu'), but for general volume (TV, radio), ookiku (big-ly) is the standard word. Using 'takaku' for the TV volume will confuse people.
❌ テレビの音を高くする。(Incorrect for 'Turn up the volume')
✅ テレビの音を大きくする。(Correct)
By being mindful of these distinctions—location vs. extent, adjective vs. adverb, and volume vs. pitch—you will avoid the most frequent errors made by learners. 高く is a powerful tool, but like any precision instrument, it works best when used in its proper domain: verticality, cost, and qualitative evaluation.
Japanese has several ways to express the idea of 'high' or 'highly' depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance intended. Knowing when to swap 高く (takaku) for a synonym will enrich your vocabulary and make your Japanese more nuanced.
- 上方に (Jouhou ni) vs. 高く (Takaku)
- 高く is general, while jouhou ni is more formal and technical, often used in written reports or instructions to mean 'in an upward direction'.
- 大いに (Ooi ni) vs. 高く (Takaku)
- When you want to say 'highly' in the sense of 'greatly' or 'very much', ooi ni is a strong alternative. For example, 'ooi ni kitai suru' (to expect greatly) is common, whereas 'takaku kitai suru' is also used but focuses more on the 'level' of expectation.
将来を大いに期待しています。(I have great expectations for the future.)
- 高価に (Kouka ni) vs. 高く (Takaku)
- While 高く can mean 'expensively' in casual speech, kouka ni is the more formal 'at a high price' or 'luxuriously'. Use this in formal writing or when discussing high-end luxury goods.
- 空高く (Sora takaku)
- This is a set phrase meaning 'high up in the sky'. It adds a poetic or descriptive flair that simple 高く lacks. It's common in literature and song lyrics.
凧が空高く舞い上がった。(The kite soared high into the sky.)
Choosing between these words depends on your relationship with the listener and the specific 'flavor' of height you want to convey. For everyday A2-level communication, 高く is your reliable workhorse. As you progress to B1 and B2, start incorporating ooi ni and jouhou ni to show off a more sophisticated grasp of the Japanese language's descriptive power.
How Formal Is It?
Dato curioso
The kanji 高 (taka) is a pictograph of a tall building or a gate tower, representing physical height.
Guía de pronunciación
- Pronouncing 'ku' like 'koo' with rounded lips (Japanese 'u' is unrounded).
- Putting too much stress on the first syllable.
- Confusing it with 'takaku' (loudly) by using the wrong pitch accent.
- Dragging out the 'a' sound too long.
- Failing to pronounce the 'k' sounds crisply.
Nivel de dificultad
The kanji is very common and learned early in school.
The kanji 'taka' is easy to write with 10 strokes.
Requires remembering to change -i to -ku before verbs.
Clearly audible and usually followed by a verb.
Qué aprender después
Requisitos previos
Ejemplos por nivel
鳥が空を高く飛びます。
The bird flies high in the sky.
Simple adverbial use of takaku with the verb tobu (fly).
猫がもっと高く跳ねました。
The cat jumped even higher.
Using 'motto' (more) with 'takaku' to show comparison.
ボールを高く投げてください。
Please throw the ball high.
Request form (~te kudasai) with the adverb takaku.
山がとても高いです。
The mountain is very high.
Wait! This is the adjective 'takai'. Use 'takaku naru' for the adverb form.
空は高く、青いです。
The sky is high and blue.
In this case, 'takaku' is used to connect two adjectives (te-form like usage).
手を高く上げましょう。
Let's raise our hands high.
Volitional form (~mashou) with takaku.
風船が空高く飛んでいった。
The balloon flew high into the sky.
The phrase 'sora takaku' is a common set phrase.
もっと高く飛べますか?
Can you fly/jump higher?
Potential form (tobemasu) with takaku.
この本を高く買いました。
I bought this book at a high price.
Takaku modifying 'kau' (to buy) to mean expensively.
彼は車を高く売りました。
He sold the car for a high price.
Takaku modifying 'uru' (to sell).
最近、リンゴが良くなりました。
Lately, apples have become expensive.
Takaku naru indicates a change in price.
先生は私の絵を高く評価しました。
The teacher evaluated my painting highly.
Standard phrase for giving praise: takaku hyouka suru.
声を高くして歌います。
I will sing with a high voice.
Using takaku to describe the pitch or volume of a voice.
もっと高く積んでください。
Please stack them higher.
Modifying 'tsumu' (to stack).
値段が少し高く感じます。
The price feels a bit high.
Takaku modifying 'kanjiru' (to feel).
彼は鼻を高くしています。
He is acting proud (literally: making his nose high).
An idiom for being proud or boastful.
専門家はその技術を高く評価している。
Experts evaluate that technology highly.
Formal evaluation in a professional context.
理想を高く持つことが大切です。
It is important to have high ideals.
Metaphorical height applied to 'risou' (ideals).
彼は期待を高く持っています。
He has high expectations.
Using takaku with 'motsu' (to hold/have).
波がこれ以上高くならないことを祈ります。
I pray that the waves do not get any higher.
Negative potential change: takaku naranai.
そのニュースは高く報じられた。
The news was reported prominently/highly.
Adverbial use in media contexts.
彼は自分の価値を高く見積もっている。
He estimates his own value highly.
Takaku mitsumoru (to overestimate or estimate highly).
この建物は空高くそびえ立っている。
This building towers high into the sky.
Descriptive literary verb 'sobie-tatsu' (to tower).
声を高く張り上げて叫んだ。
He raised his voice high and shouted.
Takaku hariageru (to raise one's voice loudly).
その作品は国際的に高く評価された。
That work was highly evaluated internationally.
Passive form 'hyouka sareta' modified by takaku.
彼は志を高く掲げて、政治の世界に入った。
He entered the world of politics with high ambitions.
Takaku kakageru (to hold up high/proclaim).
物価がこれほど高く推移するとは思わなかった。
I didn't think prices would continue to stay this high.
Takaku suii suru (to fluctuate/move at a high level).
彼は自分を高く見せようとしている。
He is trying to make himself look important.
Takaku miseru (to show off/act important).
この投資はリスクを高く伴う。
This investment involves high risk.
Takaku tomonau (to accompany/involve at a high level).
彼女は常に目標を高く設定している。
She always sets her goals high.
Takaku settei suru (to set high).
その伝統は今も高く受け継がれている。
That tradition is still highly/firmly passed down today.
Metaphorical use for the strength of a tradition.
空気を高く圧縮して、エネルギーを作る。
Compress air at a high level to create energy.
Technical usage of takaku.
その学説は学会で極めて高く評価されている。
That theory is extremely highly regarded in the academic community.
Using 'kiwamete' (extremely) to intensify 'takaku'.
彼は自らの矜持を高く保ち続けた。
He continued to maintain his pride/dignity at a high level.
Abstract concept 'kyouji' (pride) with takaku tamotsu.
市場の期待値が不当に高く設定されている。
Market expectations are set unreasonably high.
Using 'futou ni' (unreasonably) with takaku.
その山嶺は雲を突いて高く聳えている。
The mountain peaks tower high, piercing the clouds.
Literary and descriptive C1-level verbs.
彼は自分の能力を過剰に高く見積もる傾向がある。
He tends to overestimate his abilities excessively.
Psychological description using 'kajou ni' (excessively).
その詩は精神的な高潔さを高く謳い上げている。
The poem highly extols spiritual integrity.
Literary verb 'utai-ageru' (to extol/celebrate).
彼女の音楽性は、専門家の間でも群を抜いて高く評価されている。
Her musicality is evaluated as exceptionally high, even among experts.
Complex sentence structure with 'gun wo nuite' (exceptionally).
その法案は人権の尊重を高く掲げている。
The bill highly promotes the respect for human rights.
Abstract usage in legal/political contexts.
その建築物は、機能性と審美性を極限まで高く融合させている。
The building fuses functionality and aesthetics to the highest degree.
Using 'kyokugen made' (to the limit) with takaku.
彼の思想は、同時代の知的水準を遥かに高く凌駕していた。
His thoughts far surpassed the intellectual standards of his time.
C2-level verb 'ryouga suru' (to surpass).
このプロジェクトは倫理的ハードルを極めて高く設定している。
This project sets the ethical hurdles extremely high.
Metaphorical 'hurdle' usage.
その作家は、人間の孤独というテーマを高く、深く掘り下げた。
The author delved highly and deeply into the theme of human loneliness.
Using 'takaku' and 'fukaku' (deeply) together for emphasis.
市場のボラティリティが、予想を遥かに高く上回った。
Market volatility far exceeded expectations.
Financial context with 'uamawaru' (to exceed).
その外交官は、自国の威信を高く保つために奔走した。
The diplomat worked tirelessly to maintain his country's prestige.
Abstract concept 'ishin' (prestige) with takaku.
彼の演奏は、技巧の極致を高く示している。
His performance highly demonstrates the pinnacle of technique.
Elevated language for artistic mastery.
その議論は、文明の在り方を高く問うものであった。
The debate was one that highly questioned the state of civilization.
Philosophical usage of 'tou' (to question).
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
— High in the sky. Used for birds, planes, or dreams.
空高く飛んでいけ。
— To be proud. Though 'takai' is the adjective, 'takaku suru' means to make someone proud.
君のおかげで鼻が高いよ。
— To be highly regarded by others.
彼は世界中で高く評価されている。
— To have high ambitions or ideals.
常に理想を高く持とう。
— The waves are high (rough sea). 'Takaku naru' means the sea is getting rougher.
今日は波が高くなっています。
— To overcharge someone (negative nuance).
偽物を高く売りつけられた。
— To buy something at a high price (often used by shops).
不要品を高く買い取ります。
— Hard to approach or enter (high threshold).
あの店は敷居が高くて入りにくい。
— To tower majestically.
城が高くそびえ立っている。
— To shout at the top of one's lungs.
名前を高く張り上げた。
Modismos y expresiones
— To be proud or boastful. Usually used when someone is showing off.
彼は鼻を高くして自慢した。
Informal— To cost more than expected; to be a costly mistake.
安い車を買ったが、修理で結局高くついた。
Neutral— To set very high standards for oneself or a project.
彼は常に理想を高く掲げている。
Formal— Watching from a safe distance without getting involved (literally: watching from a high place).
彼は喧嘩を高みの見物していた。
Neutral— To ignore one's own faults while criticizing others (literally: to put on a high shelf).
自分のことは棚に上げて人を批判する。
Informal— To aim for something beyond one's reach (literally: high wishing).
それは高望みしすぎだよ。
Neutral— To have an expert eye for quality.
これを選ぶとは、お目が高いですね。
Polite— To underestimate something (literally: to tie up the height/sum).
相手を弱いと高を括っていた。
Neutral— High-handed or arrogant attitude.
彼女はいつも高飛車な態度だ。
Informal— Something out of reach (literally: a flower on a high peak).
彼女は僕にとって高嶺の花だ。
InformalFamilia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of a **Taco** (Taka) that is so **Cool** (Ku) it flies **High** into the sky.
Asociación visual
Imagine a price tag with wings flying high above a store.
Word Web
Desafío
Try to use 'takaku' in three different ways today: once for a physical height, once for a price, and once for a compliment.
Origen de la palabra
Derived from the Old Japanese adjective 'taka-', signifying vertical distance or prominence.
Significado original: Physical height or being situated above others.
JaponicContexto cultural
Be careful when using 'takaku' for prices in a negotiation; it can sound like a complaint if not phrased politely.
English speakers often use 'highly' only for evaluation, whereas Japanese uses 'takaku' for both physical height and evaluation interchangeably.
Summary
Takaku is your go-to word for describing actions involving height, cost, or praise. For example, 'Takaku hyouka suru' (to evaluate highly) is a polite and professional way to acknowledge success.
- Takaku means 'highly', 'upwards', or 'expensively'.
- It is the adverb form of the i-adjective 'takai'.
- Commonly used for physical height, prices, and evaluations.
- Essential for A2 level Japanese grammar and daily life.
Ejemplo
その鳥は空高く飛んでいった。
Contenido relacionado
Esta palabra en otros idiomas
Más palabras de sports
〜後
A2Indica que algo sucede después de un evento específico o un período de tiempo.
選手
B1Un atleta o jugador que compite en un deporte o juego.
攻める
A2Iniciar un ataque o acción ofensiva; atacar.
ボール
A2Un objeto esférico utilizado en juegos y deportes.
野球
A2Béisbol. Un deporte de equipo muy popular en Japón, que se juega con un bate y una pelota.
バスケットボール
A2El baloncesto es un deporte de equipo jugado con un balón y una canasta.
〜前
A2Indica 'antes de' un evento o 'delante de' un lugar.
銅メダル
A2A bronze medal, awarded for third place.
応援する
A2Animar o apoyar a un equipo o persona. Se usa para mostrar que deseas que alguien tenga éxito en sus esfuerzos.
コーチ
A2Una persona que entrena e instruye a atletas o a un equipo; un entrenador.