高: the kanji for high and expensive
高 is a JLPT N5 kanji that means high, expensive. Below are its readings, 14 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
高 is written in 10 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
高 has 5 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 14 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
コウ (kou)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 高校こうこう · kōkō | high school |
| 最高さいこう · saikō | the best; the highest |
| 高速こうそく · kōsoku | high-speed |
| 高級こうきゅう · kōkyū | high-end; luxury |
| 高価こうか · kōka | expensive |
| 高齢者こうれいしゃ · kōreisha | elderly people |
| 高層ビルこうそうビル · kōsō biru | high-rise building |
| 高度こうど · kōdo | altitude; advanced |
たかい (takai)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 高いたかい · takai | high; tall; expensive |
たか (taka)
Kun reading. It becomes daka at the end of some words.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 円高えんだか · endaka | a strong yen |
| 売上高うりあげだか · uriagedaka | sales amount |
| 高台たかだい · takadai | high ground |
たかまる (takamaru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 高まるたかまる · takamaru | to rise |
たかめる (takameru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 高めるたかめる · takameru | to raise; to improve |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- このレストランは高いです。Kono resutoran wa takai desu.This restaurant is expensive.
- 今日は最高の一日でした。Kyō wa saikō no ichinichi deshita.Today was the best day.
- 高速道路が混んでいます。Kōsoku dōro ga konde imasu.The expressway is crowded.
- 円高で輸入品が安くなりました。Endaka de yunyūhin ga yasuku narimashita.Imported goods got cheaper because of the strong yen.
- チームの力を高めたいです。Chīmu no chikara o takametai desu.I want to make the team stronger.
- この商品への関心が高まっています。Kono shōhin e no kanshin ga takamatte imasu.Interest in this product is growing.
Questions about 高
How many strokes does 高 have?
高 is written in 10 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 高?
The on readings are kou (コウ). The kun readings are takai (たかい), taka (たか), takamaru (たかまる), takameru (たかめる).
Does 高い mean "high" or "expensive"?
Both. 高い (takai) means high or tall, and also expensive, as in この時計は高い (kono tokei wa takai, this watch is expensive).
What JLPT level is 高?
N5. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N5 is designed to match the former Level 4.
More JLPT N5 kanji
Things and descriptions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 高
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.