also: はなだか
noun, na-adjective
prominent nose; long nose; person with a prominent nose
Literal description of a nose that is high-bridged or long, or a person with such a nose. Can be used neutrally or as a physical characteristic.
彼は鼻高で、横顔がはっきりしている。
He has a prominent nose and a well-defined profile.
あの鼻高の人は誰ですか。
Who is that person with the prominent nose?
na-adjective, noun
prideful; boastful; proud person
Figurative use: being proud or boastful, often with a sense of looking down on others. Commonly appears in the idiom 鼻が高い (to be proud).
息子が東大に合格して、彼は鼻高々だ。
His son got into the University of Tokyo, and he is bursting with pride.
あの鼻高な態度は周りを不快にさせる。
That boastful attitude makes people around him uncomfortable.
noun
tengu
Refers to the mythical tengu creature, known for its long nose. This sense is a direct reference to the tengu's distinctive feature.
See also: 天狗
鼻高は天狗の特徴の一つだ。
A prominent nose is one of the characteristics of a tengu.
Compound of 鼻 (nose) and 高 (high/tall). The literal meaning 'prominent nose' gave rise to the figurative sense of pride, likely from the image of someone with their nose in the air. The tengu sense comes from the creature's iconic long nose.