taas
/taˈʔas/
The Tagalog word for height is taas.
taas is a noun used to refer to the distance from the bottom to the top of something. Depending on the context of a sentence, it can also be used to mean 'up' or 'above'.
Meaning: distance from bottom to top (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the superlative 'highest', you use the prefix pinaka- combined with the adjective form mataas to create pinakamataas.
How do you pronounce it?
/taˈʔas/
Did you know?
- While taas is the standard word for 'height', the Tagalog language also uses the word haba to describe the 'height' or 'length' of long, slender objects like ropes or rivers.
- The root of taas is also found in the Malay word atas, which means 'above' or 'top', linking Tagalog to the broader Austronesian linguistic heritage.
- In Tagalog, taas is not just a measurement but can be used to describe a person's social rank or prestige.
Examples in context
- Ilan ba ang height mo?How tall are you?
- Ang height niya ay 6 feet.His/her height is 6 feet.
- Grabe, ang height niya pinapantayan na ang basketball player!Wow, his/her height rivals that of a basketball player!
- Sinukat ko ang taas ng mesa.I measured the height of the table.
- Masyadong mababa ang taas ng bakod.The height of the fence is too low.
Example conversation
Mark and Angela are comparing their heights.
- MarkAngela, mas mataas ka ba sa akin?Angela, are you taller than me?
- AngelaOo, tingnan mo ang ating taas.Yes, look at our height.
- MarkMukhang tama ka nga.It seems like you are right.
- AngelaSabi ko na sa iyo eh.I told you so.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “height” translations and entries taas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries taas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
