Korean Dictionary
How to say "Tall" in Korean
“Tall” in Korean is 높은 (pronounced "Nopeun").
높은
Nopeun
Usage & Context
Nopeun is the Korean word for tall. Tall shapes are used in Korean design to create verticality and prominence. They represent aspiration and growth.
Example Sentence
높은 건물이 멋있어요.
The tall building is cool.
How to use 높은 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Tall” is 높은, romanized as Nopeun.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 높은.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '높' (nop), sounds like 'nope' but with a very quick, almost unreleased 'p' sound at the end. The second syllable, '은' (eun), is like the 'u' in 'put' followed by 'n'. Combine them as 'Nope-eun', with the 'p' sound subtly connecting to the 'eu'.
More Example Sentences
Describing the height of a natural landmark.
저 산은 정말 높아요.
That mountain is really tall/high.
Explaining someone's skill based on their height.
그는 키가 높아서 농구를 잘해요.
He is tall, so he's good at basketball.
Expressing a desire to see a panoramic view.
높은 곳에서 세상을 바라보고 싶어요.
I want to look at the world from a high place.
Cultural Context
In Korean, '높은' can mean both 'tall' (for objects or people) and 'high' (for places, standards, or status). For instance, '높은 분' (nopeun bun) refers to a person of high status or importance, not necessarily physical height. K-dramas often use '높은 곳' (nopeun got) metaphorically to represent success or a challenging goal, adding a layer of depth to the word's usage.
Editorial note
We review entries like 높은 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
높은 빌딩
tall building
높은 곳
high place
높은 점수
high score
Related Expressions
높다
nopda
to be tall/high (base adjective)
낮은
najeun
low (antonym)
키가 크다
kiga keuda
to be tall (for people, literally 'height is big')
고층
gocheung
high-rise (related concept for buildings)
More Colors and Shapes Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Tall and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
