Meaning

Primary

Tall

Alternatives

High, Expensive

Word Type

い adjective

Explanation

This is a single kanji with an on the end, meaning you know it's probably an adjective. What's the adjective form of tall or expensive? It's the same: tall or expensive.

Weird that this word means both of these things, yeah? Just imagine money piled up to be really tall. That money is tall because it needs to buy something expensive.

Reading

たかい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you:

Being tall is really expensive because you have to buy a tall car (たか). If it's not a tall car then your tall body won't fit inside, and those tall cars are expensive!

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 高いところ

    high place

    高いもの

    expensive thing

    高いレベル

    high level

Context Sentences

あの高いビルの中に本社があります。

There's the HQ in that tall building over there.

この車は高いですが、デザインがいいです。

This car is expensive, but it has a good design.

ビジネススーツに百万円は、高すぎるよ。

A million yen for a business suit is too expensive.

Kanji Composition