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March 24, 2026
高gāo(gao1)
The character 高 (gāo) primarily means 'high' or 'tall', often used to describe physical height or elevation. It can also imply something that is above average in quality or intensity, such as a loud sound. In Chinese, it is common to use this character in various contexts, including discussions about height, status, or even volume.
Strokes10Radical高Frequency#454DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, height can be associated with strength and status; thus, the character 高 might also carry connotations of respect when used honorifically. For example, senior figures or elders might be referred to with 高 to denote their elevated position in society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall mountain reaching up to the sky, representing 'high' (高). The character itself has a top component that looks like a peak, suggesting elevation. You can remember the pronunciation 'gāo' by picturing a goat (sounds like 'g') standing proudly at the top of this mountain.
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AI Study Notes for 高
Quick Contrast
高 (gāo, high) vs 远 (yuǎn, far) — use 高 when referring to height or elevation, not distance.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tall mountain reaching up to the sky, representing 'high' (高). The character itself has a top component that looks like a peak, suggesting elevation. You can remember the pronunciation 'gāo' by picturing a goat (sounds like 'g') standing proudly at the top of this mountain.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone; 高 (gāo) is pronounced with a high level tone. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, such as in the phrase '高兴' (happy), which is common in greetings. Learners might mistakenly use it inappropriately in phrases where a different word is more suitable, like mixing it with '长' (cháng) when referring to length versus height.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 2 word, 高 (gāo) connects well with other basic adjectives and descriptors. Students should focus on using it in sentences that compare heights or qualities, like '他比我高' (He is taller than I am) to reinforce understanding and usage.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, height can be associated with strength and status; thus, the character 高 might also carry connotations of respect when used honorifically. For example, senior figures or elders might be referred to with 高 to denote their elevated position in society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 高 (gāo) with 低 (dī), which means 'low.' For example, saying '他很高' (He is very low) instead of '他很高' (He is very tall) reflects a common mix-up. Ensure you use the correct character and tone in context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 高
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Grammar Patterns of 高
高 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The official number of people carrying the AIDS virus is low.
7
从“绿色税收”得来的收入便可回过头来用于提高能效。
cóng“ “ lǜ sè shuì” shōu ” dé lái de shōu rù biàn kě huí guò tóu lái yòng yú tí gāo。
Revenues from "green taxes" could then be channelled back into energy efficiency.
8
高中时我怕你怕得要命。
gāo zhōng shí wǒ pà nǐ pà dé yào mìng。
In high school I was scared to death of you.
9
你好，伯纳德！见到你真高兴。
nǐ hǎo， ， bó nà！ dé ！ jiàn dào nǐ zhēn。
Good day to you, Bernard! It's a positive delight to see you.
10
亲爱的内维尔，我真太为你高兴了。
qīn ài de nèi wéi ěr， ， wǒ zhēn tài wéi nǐ gāo xīng。
Darling Neville, I couldn't be more pleased for you.
Cultural Notes for 高
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, height can be associated with strength and status; thus, the character 高 might also carry connotations of respect when used honorifically. For example, senior figures or elders might be referred to with 高 to denote their elevated position in society.
Word Family of 高
Compounds34
搞gao3to do
敲qiao1to hit
稿gao3variant of 稿[gǎo]
膏gao1ointment
镐gao3stove; bright
鎬gao3stove; bright
犒kao4victory feast; to throw a banquet
嵩song1high, lofty; one of the five peaks in Hunan
槁gao3to wither; withered, rotten, dead
歊
蒿hao1mugwort, wormwood, Artemisia; to give off a scent
縞gao3plain white silk
篙gao1a pole used to punt a boat
嗃
塙
暠gao3daybreak; brilliant, bright
熇
碻
缟gao3plain white silk
翯
髇
髝
髞
傐
嵪
槀gao3draft, manuscript
滈
皜
禞
謞
髚
髛
髜
鰝
Words Containing This Character20
高兴gāoxìnghappy高興
高gāohigh
提高tígāoto raise
最高tallest
高中gāozhōngsenior high school
高度gāodùheight
高级gāojíhigh level高級
高速gāosùhigh speed
高校abbr. for 高等學校|高等学校
高手gāoshǒuexpert
高于gāoyúgreater than高於
高层gāocénghigh level高層
高潮gāocháohigh tide
高达Gundam, Japanese animation franchise高達
高尔夫golf (loanword)高爾夫
高考gāokǎo(Tw) entrance exam for senior government service posts (abbr. for 公務人員高等考試|公务人员高等考试)
高速公路gāosùgōnglùexpressway
身高shēngāo(a person's) height
高档gāodànghigh grade高檔
高等gāoděnghigher
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 搞 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 高
You can use 高 to describe someone or something's height, e.g., '这棵树很高' (This tree is very tall).
No, 高 can also describe things like loudness (e.g., '声音很高' - The sound is very loud) or quality.
