Definitions
(adjective)
high; tall
(adjective)
above average
(noun)
height
Etymology
Pictograph of a tall building. Similar to 京.
About
The character "高" originated as a pictograph depicting a tall structure like a watchtower, with its form evolving to emphasize the concept of height through a composition that suggests a raised platform capped by an elevated roof. Etymologically, it functions as a semantic unit representing "high" or "tall", and while its graphical structure has remained largely unchanged, its meanings have extended from physical elevation to abstract applications such as superior quality, advanced rank, or intense degree. This semantic broadening occurred through linguistic adaptation, where "高" came to modify diverse nouns in contexts ranging from social hierarchy to quantitative measures, all while retaining its foundational association with loftiness conveyed by its enduring visual design.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他今天很高兴。
这座山很高。
我哥哥是高中生。
她买了高级化妆品。
飞机飞行高度很高。
高标准要求自己。
经济增长速度很高。
高温天气持续了一周。