高い

§ What "Takai" (高い) means

Let's break down the word 高い (takai). It's an adjective you'll hear and use all the time in Japanese. It has a few core meanings that are pretty straightforward.

Japanese Word

高い (takai)

CEFR Level

A2

English Definitions

expensive, tall, high

§ Examples of "Takai" in Use

Here are some common ways you'll use 高い. Pay attention to the context for each meaning.

• Expensive (値段が高い - nedan ga takai)

  この車はとても高いです。(Kono kuruma wa totemo takai desu.)

  Hint: This car is very expensive.

• Tall (背が高い - se ga takai)

  彼は背が高いです。(Kare wa se ga takai desu.)

  Hint: He is tall.

• High (高い山 - takai yama)

  あの山はとても高いです。(Ano yama wa totemo takai desu.)

  Hint: That mountain is very high.

§ Similar words and when to use them

While 高い covers a lot of ground, it's good to know other words that touch on similar concepts, so you can pick the most precise one.

• Expensive:

  • 高価 (kōka - expensive, valuable): This is a more formal way to say something is expensive or of high value. You'll often see this in written contexts or for luxury items. While 高い is general, 高価 implies something is costly because of its inherent worth or quality, not just its price tag.

    これは高価な美術品です。(Kore wa kōka na bijutsushin desu.)

    Hint: This is a valuable piece of art.

    Use 高い for everyday expensive items. Use 高価 for items that are considered valuable or luxurious.

  • 値段が高い (nedan ga takai - the price is high): This is a very common and direct way to say something is expensive. It explicitly mentions the price. You can just say 高い, but adding 値段が (nedan ga) emphasizes the price aspect.

    このレストランは値段が高いです。(Kono resutoran wa nedan ga takai desu.)

    Hint: This restaurant's prices are high (it's expensive).

• Tall/High:

  • 背が高い (se ga takai - tall for people): As seen before, this is the standard way to describe a person's height. You don't just say 人が高い (hito ga takai) for a tall person; you specify 'back' (背 - se) is high.

    彼女は私より背が高い。(Kanojo wa watashi yori se ga takai.)

    Hint: She is taller than me.

  • 高い (takai) for objects and abstract concepts: For buildings, mountains, trees, or even abstract concepts like 'high temperature' (気温が高い - kion ga takai) or 'high voice' (声が高い - koe ga takai), 高い works perfectly fine on its own.

    今日は気温がとても高いです。(Kyō wa kion ga totemo takai desu.)

    Hint: Today the temperature is very high.

  • 背丈 (setake - height of a person/plant): This word also refers to height, but it's more specific to the measurement of a person or a plant from head to foot/ground to top. While 背が高い describes someone as 'tall,' 背丈 is the actual physical measurement.

    彼の背丈は180cmです。(Kare no setake wa hyakuhachijū-senchi desu.)

    Hint: His height is 180cm.

    When describing a person as 'tall,' stick with 背が高い. When talking about the actual measured height, 背丈 can be used, often with numbers.

  In summary, 高い is your go-to for general 'expensive,' 'tall,' and 'high.' Remember the specific phrases like 背が高い for people and consider 高価 for valuable items. Context is key, as always!