alto
/ˈalto/
The Spanish word for tall is alto.
alto is used to describe the height of a person. Note that it also means 'high' when describing inanimate objects, such as mountains or buildings.
Meaning: of a person (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can use espigado/a to describe someone who is both tall and slender.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the person or people being described. Use alto for a masculine singular subject, alta for a feminine singular subject, altos for a masculine or mixed-gender plural subject and altas for a feminine plural subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈalto/
What mistakes should you avoid?
When stating that someone is tall, do not use the verb tener (to have). You must use the verb ser (to be), as in es alto.
Did you know?
- Spanish uses the word alto to describe both height and volume. To tell someone to turn down the music, you can tell them the sound is too alto.
- In Spain, the word espigado describes someone who is both tall and slender. It comes from the word for an ear of corn or wheat, suggesting a similar long and thin shape.
- While alto describes height, the word estirado can be used for someone tall. Because it literally means 'stretched', it often implies the person is acting arrogant or stiff.
Examples in context
- Él es muy alto.He is very tall.This sentence demonstrates the use of alto to describe a man's height.Tatoeba #1129861 by marcelostockle, translation #292154 by CK
- Tu padre es alto.Your father is tall.This sentence shows how to use alto when describing a father.Tatoeba #445794 by Shishir, translation #70957 by CK
- Su padre es alto.Her father is tall.This sentence uses alto to describe her father.Tatoeba #788144 by Shishir, translation #788138 by CK
- Ella es altaShe is tall
- Él es altoHe is tall
- ¡Ese chico es altote!That boy is really tall!
- El edificio es altoThe building is tall
- 175 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are talking about a new coworker.
- Javier¿Es alto el nuevo compañero?Is the new coworker tall?
- SofíaSí, él es muy alto.Yes, he is very tall.
- JavierSofía, ¿él es más alto que yo?Sofía, is he taller than me?
- SofíaCreo que sí, Javier.I think so, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tall” translations and entries alto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
