高い
takai[ta̠ka̠i]
The Japanese word takai can mean high or expensive.
高い is a polysemous word, meaning it has multiple uses. It is used to describe something that has a great physical height or something that has a high price.
Which one should you use?
While 高い is the standard way to say something is high or expensive, 高価な is used specifically to convey a sense of high value or luxury. For a more emphatic and informal tone, you can use バカ高い to mean something is ridiculously expensive. If you want to describe an impression rather than a fact, 高そう means something 'looks expensive'. To be more specific about the cost itself, you can use the phrase 値段が高い, which literally means 'the price is high'.
How do you pronounce it?
takai
Did you know?
- The informal expression バカ高い uses the word バカ (baka), which normally means 'fool' or 'idiot'. In this context, it functions as an intensifier similar to 'insanely' or 'ridiculously'.
- Japanese speakers use the word 高い to describe high-pitched sounds, such as a 'high' note in music. English speakers often confuse this with 'loud', but Japanese has a separate word, 大きい (ookii), for volume.
- When Japanese speakers want to say a price is 'low', they avoid using 低い (the opposite of 'high') and instead use 安い (cheap).
Examples in context
- この店の商品はとても 高い です。The products in this store are very expensive.
- 彼女に 高価な 贈り物をしました。I gave her an expensive gift.
- このゲームは バカ高い よ。This game is ridiculously expensive.
- このレストランは お高い ですね。This restaurant is quite expensive, isn't it?
- あの車は 高そう ですね。That car looks expensive.
- このビールは 値段が高い ね。This beer is pretty expensive.
- この時計は高いですね。Kono tokei wa takai desu ne.This watch is expensive, isn't it?
- あのビルはとても高いです。Ano biru wa totemo takai desu.That building is very tall.
- 物価が高いので、困っています。Bukka ga takai node, komatte imasu.Prices are high, so I am struggling.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are looking at a menu in a fancy restaurant.
- 結衣 Yui陽太さん、このレストランは少し高いですよ。Yota-san, kono resutoran wa sukoshi takai desu yo.Yota, this restaurant is a little expensive.
- 陽太 Yota本当ですね。でも、景色がいいですよ。Hontou desu ne. Demo, keshiki ga ii desu yo.That's true. But the view is good.
- 結衣 Yui天井も高いですね。Tenjou mo takai desu ne.The ceiling is also high.
- 陽太 Yotaええ、とても開放感があります。Ee, totemo kaifoukan ga arimasu.Yes, it feels very spacious.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 高い, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
