What does it mean word for word?
The part 背 (se) specifically refers to human stature or height.
Which one should you use?
The phrase 背が高いです is the standard polite form. If you use the dictionary form 背が高い and drop the です, the expression becomes informal. You can also use 私は背が高い方です to emphasize that you are relatively tall.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal way to say 'I am tall', you can use 私は背が高いです or 私は身長が高いです to specifically mention your height. In informal settings, males often use the pronoun 僕 (boku) or 俺 (ore). For example, 僕は背が高いよ or 俺は背が高い are informal ways to express this.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 背が高い is the dictionary form of the adjective phrase. While adding です makes it polite and suitable for most social situations, you can use the dictionary form alone in informal speech.
How do you pronounce it?
Se ga takai desu
What mistakes should you avoid?
While English speakers often feel the need to include 'I' (私は), it is very common and often more natural in Japanese to omit the subject entirely when the context is clear.
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word 高い (takai) means both 'tall' and 'expensive'.
- The kanji 背 (se) refers to the back. This means that when a Japanese speaker says they are 'tall', they are literally saying the 'back' of their body is 'high'.
- If someone is unusually tall, people might use the word 高身長 (kōshinchō). This is a more formal, compound noun often found in dating profiles or talent agencies to describe a 'tall stature'.
Examples in context
- 私は175センチメートルあります。I am 175 centimeters tall.
- 私は背が高いです。watashi wa se ga takai desu.I am tall.
- 弟より背が高いです。otouto yori se ga takai desu.I am taller than my younger brother.
- 実は、結構背が高いです。jitsu wa, kekkou se ga takai desu.Actually, I am quite tall.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are talking about their heights.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さんは背が高いですね。Kenta-san wa se ga takai desu ne.Kenta, you are tall, aren't you?
- 健太 Kentaはい、私は背が高いです。Hai, watashi wa se ga takai desu.Yes, I am tall.
- 美咲 Misakiいいですね。羨ましいです。Ii desu ne. Urayamashii desu.That's nice. I'm jealous.
- 健太 Kentaありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.
