cao
[kaːw˧˧]
The Vietnamese word for tall is cao.
The word cao is used for both people being tall and objects being high.
Meaning: of a person (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
To negate the adjective, place the word không before cao. To express the comparative 'taller', add the word hơn after cao. Adding the word quá after cao expresses that something is excessively tall or very tall.
Did you know?
- The word cao is a homonym in Vietnamese. While it usually means 'tall' or 'high', it can also mean 'fat' or 'grease' depending on the context.
- The term cao thượng uses cao to describe a 'noble' or 'magnanimous' spirit, treating the heart or soul as if it has physical height.
- When talking about a 'tall' person, the word cao can be paired with ráo to form cao ráo, which implies someone is tall and has a healthy, well-proportioned build.
Examples in context
- Cái đó cao quá!That's very tall!This sentence shows how to use cao to say something is very tall.Tatoeba #9715113 by dotheduyet1999, translation #890491 by Scott
- Cô ấy không cao.She is not tall.This sentence demonstrates how to negate cao to say someone is not tall.Tatoeba #13769788 by leucammieuvu, translation #437589 by MikeDee
- Bạn cao bằng tôi.You are as tall as I am.This sentence illustrates how to use cao to make a comparison.Tatoeba #8989005 by dotheduyet1999, translation #4909 by CK
- Người đàn ông này cao hơn tôi.This man is taller than me.
- Tòa nhà này cao và ấn tượng.This building is tall and impressive.
- Anh ta cao ráo và rất đẹp trai.He is tall and very handsome.
- Cậu ta cao như cột điện.He is as tall as a pole.
- Anh ấy cao và thon gọn.He is tall and slim.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new colleague at work.
- TuấnAnh nhân viên mới cao không?Is the new male employee tall?
- ChiAnh ấy rất cao luôn.He is really tall.
- TuấnThật vậy sao?Is that so?
- ChiỪ, anh ấy cao lắm.Yes, he is very tall.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tall” translations and entries cao, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cao, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
