tan alto
/tan alto/from spelling rules
The English phrase "so high" is translated into Spanish as tan alto.
tan alto is used to describe something that reaches a great vertical distance.
What does it mean word for word?
The word tan means "so" (in the sense of degree) and alto means "high" or "tall".
Which one should you use?
Use tan alto to express degree (so high), whereas muy alto is used to express a simple high degree (very high).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes, using tan alta for feminine nouns, tan altos for masculine plural nouns and tan altas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/tan alto/
Did you know?
- While alto means 'high', it is also used as a command to 'stop'. This usage comes from a different source entirely, borrowed from the German word halt.
- When alto describes a sound, it refers to volume rather than pitch. To describe a high-pitched note, Spanish speakers use agudo instead.
- In Spanish, the same word alto is used for both a 'tall' person and a 'high' mountain.
Examples in context
- ¿Cómo es que Tom salta tan alto?.How does Tom jump so high?This sentence is useful for asking about the reason behind someone jumping tan alto.Tatoeba #10179338 by Jeigmz, translation #3592238 by CK
- Estoy sorprendido de oír que los precios han subido a tan altos niveles.I am surprised to hear that prices have gone up so high.This sentence is useful for expressing surprise about prices reaching tan alto levels.Tatoeba #1678293 by teskmon, translation #261606 by CC
- ¿Cómo puedo saltar tan alto?How can I jump so high?This sentence is useful for asking how one can jump tan alto.Tatoeba #1194226 by alexmarcelo, translation #38664 by AlanF_US
- El precio del apartamento es sumamente alto.The price of the apartment is extremely high.
- Ayer fui de fiesta y me pasé, estaba bien volado/a.Yesterday I went partying and went overboard, I was so high.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are looking at a bird in a tree.
- SofíaEse pájaro vuela tan alto.That bird flies so high.
- AlejandroSí, es un vuelo impresionante.Yes, it is an impressive flight.
- SofíaNo puedo verlo muy bien desde aquí.I cannot see it very well from here.
- AlejandroEs porque está demasiado lejos.It is because it is too far away.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alto, tan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
