高
gāo
high, tall
At a glance · 高

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

高 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 高 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 高 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 高 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 高 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 高 Regular script
    Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested:oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

甲骨文、金文象高大的楼台或建筑之形,下为 base、上为高耸的堂宇。隶楷沿为「高」。

What the sketch shows

高 Object sketch

Origins & notes

「高」本指高处、高耸,引申为高度与等级高。

Structure

象形字,象高台建筑之形,表示高。

At a glance

Pinyingāo
Radical高
Strokes10
UnicodeU+9AD8
Character type象形
Theme状态

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English high, tall High, tall; originally pictured a tall tower or building.
Français haut Haut, grand; à l'origine représentait une tour ou un bâtiment élevé.
Español alto Alto, gran; originalmente representaba una torre o edificio elevado.
العربية عالٍ عالٍ أو شاهق؛ كان يصوّر بناءً مرتفعًا.
Русский высокий Высокий; изначально изображало высокое строение.

Common words

  • 高兴gāo xìnghappy
  • 高低gāo dīheight