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Kotomora

高

tall, high, expensive

JLPTN5StatusJōyō · grade 2FrequencyTop 100Strokes10

Readings

On'yomi

  • コウ

Kun'yomi

  • たか.い
  • たか
  • -だか
  • たか.まる
  • たか.める

Nanori

  • か
  • こ
  • じょい
  • た
  • はか

Meaning

高 centers on vertical extent or degree: something tall, high in position or level, and by extension expensive (high in price).

Most common words using 高

24 of 1,046
  • 高いたかい
    N5

    high; tall

  • 高たか
    N1

    quantity; amount; volume; number; amount of money

  • 最高さいこう
    N3

    best; supreme; wonderful; finest

  • 高校こうこう
    N5

    senior high school; high school

  • 高速こうそく
    N3

    high-speed; rapid; express

  • 高校生こうこうせい
    N4

    senior high school student

  • 高級こうきゅう
    N3

    high-class; high-grade; high-quality; high-end; luxury

  • 高齢こうれい
    N3

    advanced age; old age

  • 高度こうど
    N2

    altitude; height; elevation

  • 女子高じょしこう

    girls' high school

  • 高まるたかまる
    N2

    to rise; to swell; to be promoted

  • 高等こうとう
    N2

    high class; high grade

  • 高額こうがく

    large sum (of money); large amount

  • 高価こうか
    N3

    highly priced; expensive; valuable; costly

  • 高めるたかめる
    N2

    to raise; to lift; to boost; to enhance

  • 標高ひょうこう

    elevation; height above sea level

  • 高性能こうせいのう
    N2

    high efficiency; high performance

  • 高山こうざん

    high mountain; alpine mountain

  • 高値たかね

    high price

  • 高まりたかまり

    rise; swell; elevation; upsurge

  • 高層こうそう
    N2

    high-rise (building); multistory; multistoried; tall

  • 最高裁さいこうさい

    Supreme Court

  • 高温こうおん
    N1

    high temperature

  • 高騰こうとう

    sharp rise (in prices); steep rise; substantial increase; soaring

Explore all words using 高 →

Study

Etymology

高 is a pictograph of a tall watchtower or raised structure, with the modern form preserving a roof-like top and a base. The idea of height extends naturally to high cost.

Meaning mnemonic

Picture a tall watchtower: the top 亠 is the roof, the middle 口 is a window, and the bottom 冂 with another 口 inside is the enclosed base. The whole structure stands high above the ground.

Reading mnemonic

For コウ, imagine a tall tower so high it touches the clouds, and a person named Kou standing on top shouting 'Kou!' to be heard from such a height.