높이
nopi[no̞pʰi]
In Korean, the English phrase height can be translated as 높이 (nopi). Wiktionary also lists 고도 (godo).
Meaning: distance from bottom to top (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 높이 | nopi | [no̞pʰi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 고도 | godo | [ko̞do̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈko̞(ː)do̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The word 높이 refers to the distance from the bottom to the top. When discussing a person's height specifically, you may also use the word 키. To express height in measurements, it is common to use the unit 센티미터.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun 높이 is derived from the adjective 높다, which means to be high or tall.
Which one should you use?
While 높이 refers to the physical height of objects or people, 고도 is used specifically to refer to altitude or elevation above sea level.
How do you pronounce it?
nopi
Did you know?
- Because the word 고도 is a homonym, it can mean 'altitude' or it can mean 'old capital' depending on the Hanja used. In a historical context, a person might be traveling to a 고도, meaning an ancient capital, rather than discussing elevation.
- When describing someone as 'tall', Koreans use the adjective 키가 크다, which literally translates to 'height is big'.
- In Middle Korean, recorded in the 1459 text Worin seokbo, the word for height was written as 노피 instead of the modern 높이.
Examples in context
- 제 키는 170센티미터입니다.My height is 170 centimeters.
- 키가 얼마야?How tall are you?
- 나는 170센티미터야.I am 170 centimeters tall.
- 179센티미터179 centimeters
- 그녀의 키는 160센티미터예요.Her height is 160 centimeters.
- 건물의 높이가 얼마예요?geonmul-ui nop-i-ga eolma-yeyo?What is the height of the building?
- 나무의 높이를 측정하고 있어요.namu-ui nop-i-reul cheuk-jeong-hago isseoyo.I am measuring the height of the tree.
Example conversation
Subin and Dohyun are looking at a new skyscraper.
- 수빈 Su-bin저 건물의 높이가 정말 대단하네요.jeo geonmul-ui nop-i-ga jeongmal daedanhane-yo.The height of that building is truly amazing.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈 씨, 정말 높게 느껴지죠?Subin ssi, jeongmal nop-ge neukkyeojijyo?Subin, it feels really high, doesn't it?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 도현 씨. 엄청 높아 보여요.ne, Dohyun ssi. eomcheong nop-a boyeoyo.Yes, Dohyun. It looks incredibly high.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정확한 높이를 알고 싶어요.jeonghwak-han nop-i-reul algo sipeoyo.I want to know the exact height.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “height” translations and entries 높이, 고도, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 고도, 높이, CC BY-SA 4.0.
