背が高い
se ga takai
The phrase 'someone is tall' is translated into Japanese as 背が高い (se ga takai).
This phrase is used to describe a person who has a greater height than average.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'height is high', where 背 (se) means 'back/stature' and 高い (takai) means 'high/tall'.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can modify the phrase to change its meaning or function. To express that someone 'was tall' in the past, change the adjective to its past form: 背が高かった. To negate the phrase, change the final adjective to its negative form: 背が高くない.
How do you pronounce it?
se ga takai
Did you know?
- To describe someone who is tall but thin in a way that suggests they are gangly, Japanese uses the onomatopoeic word ひょろ長い. The ひょろ part mimics the visual of something thin and wobbly.
- When complimenting someone on their height, Japanese speakers often use the phrase スタイルがいい (style ga ii). This describes a 'good style' or 'good proportions', which is often a more polite way to praise someone's tall stature.
- Using the adjective 高い alone to describe a person can be confusing. Because it also means 'expensive', it might sound as though you are calling the person 'high-priced' rather than tall.
Examples in context
- 彼（かれ）は背が高い（たかい）です。He is tall.
- 彼女は背が高い子ですね。She is a tall girl.
- あの人が一番背が高いです。That person is the tallest.
- 僕より彼の方が背が高いです。He is taller than me.
- 彼は背が高いですね。Kare wa se ga takai desu ne.He is tall, isn't he?
- あの選手はとても背が高いです。Ano senshu wa totemo se ga takai desu.That athlete is very tall.
- 背が高い人が好きです。Se ga takai hito ga suki desu.I like tall people.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new student at their school.
- 陽葵 Himari新しい転校生、知ってる？Atarashii tenkousei, shitteru?Do you know the new transfer student?
- 蓮 Renうん、すごく背が高いよね。Un, sugoku se ga takai yo ne.Yeah, he is really tall.
- 陽葵 Himariモデルみたいでかっこいい！Moderu mitai de kakkoii!He's cool, like a model!
- 蓮 Ren本当にそうだね。Hontou ni sou da ne.He really is.
