Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 高さ | takasa | [ta̠ka̠sa̠] (narrow) |
| 高度 | kōdo | [ko̞ːdo̞] (narrow) |
高さ is the standard way to describe the distance from the bottom to the top of an object or structure. When you are specifically talking about a person's height, it is very common to use the phrase 背の高さ. In Japan, measurements like height are commonly expressed in centimeters (センチメートル).
What does it mean word for word?
The noun 高さ is formed by taking the stem of the adjective 高い (high/tall), which is 高 and adding the suffix さ to turn the adjective into a noun, similar to how English adds '-ness' to a word.
Which one should you use?
While 高さ refers to the physical height of objects on the ground, the word 高度 is used to describe altitude, such as the height of an airplane or a mountain peak.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 高さ is derived from the adjective 高い, which means high or tall.
How do you pronounce it?
takasa
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the same adjective 高い used for 'height' is also used to describe something that is 'expensive'. Depending on the context, 高い can mean either tall or high-priced.
- When describing a person as 'tall', Japanese people often use 背が高い which literally translates to 'the back is high'. This focuses on the verticality of the spine rather than the person as a whole.
- Japanese has a specific word, 高所 (kōsho), to describe 'heights' as a location, such as in 高所恐怖症 which means a fear of heights (acrophobia).
Examples in context
- 背の高さは１７０センチほどで、目が大きく、やや太っている。The height is about 170 centimeters, with large eyes and a somewhat overweight build.This sentence is useful for describing a person's height and physical build using 高さ.Tatoeba #10992025 by bunbuku, translation #12631903 by urro
- チークは、４０メートルの高さにまで成長することがある落葉樹です。The teak is a deciduous tree that can grow to a height of 40 metres.This sentence is useful for describing the growth height of a tree using 高さ.Tatoeba #9961172 by small_snow, translation #5399406 by Objectivesea
- 彼女は君とほとんど同じぐらいの背の高さだ。She's almost the same height as you.This sentence is useful for comparing someone's height using 高さ.Tatoeba #90354 by mookeee, translation #1498844 by weihaiping
- わたしの 身長 は１６０センチメートルです。My height is 160 centimeters.
- おまえの 身長 は？What is your height?
- 彼の 身の丈 に合った仕事を見つけたい。I want to find a job that suits his abilities.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are looking at a new piece of furniture in a shop.
- 結衣 Yuiこの棚の高さはどうかな？Kono tana no takasa wa dō kana?How is the height of this shelf?
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣、これなら使いやすそうだよ。Yui, kore nara tsukaiyasusō da yo.Yui, this looks like it would be easy to use.
- 結衣 Yui本当？大翔、もう一度見てみるね。Hontō? Hiroto, mō ichido mite miru ne.Really? Hiroto, let me take another look.
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、高さもちょうどいいと思う。Un, takasa mo chōdo ii to omou.Yeah, I think the height is also just right.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “height” translations and entries 高さ, 高度, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
