Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tall'

English Word: tall

Key Russian Translations:

• высокий /vɨˈsokʲɪj/ - [Formal, Adjective for describing height of people or objects]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in everyday descriptions but not as ubiquitous as basic verbs like "to be")

Difficulty: A2 (Basic level; straightforward for beginners once basic adjective agreement is understood)

Pronunciation (Russian):

высокий: /vɨˈsokʲɪj/

Note on высокий: The stress falls on the second syllable ("so"). The "ы" sound is a subtle, back vowel that can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the "i" in "bit" but more centralized. Be aware of palatalization in the "kʲ" which softens the consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Describing physical height or stature

Translation(s) & Context:

• высокий - Used in formal and informal contexts to describe someone or something that is tall, such as a person, building, or tree. Common in everyday conversations and descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Он высокий и атлетичный. (He is tall and athletic.)

  This example shows the adjective in a descriptive sentence, agreeing with a masculine singular noun.

• Эта башня очень высокая. (This tower is very tall.)

  Here, it describes an inanimate object, demonstrating its use with feminine singular nouns.

• Высокие здания доминируют в городе. (Tall buildings dominate the city.)

  This illustrates plural usage in a general statement about urban landscapes.

• Она стала выше после подросткового возраста. (She became taller after her teenage years.)

  Shows the adjective in a comparative context, though "taller" would typically use a comparative form.

• В высоком лесу легко потеряться. (In the tall forest, it's easy to get lost.)

  Demonstrates usage in a metaphorical or environmental context, with agreement in a prepositional phrase.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Высокий is an adjective, so it inflects based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most first-declension adjectives. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • длинный (dlinnый) - More specific to length rather than height, often used for objects like ropes.
  • высокорослый (vysokoroslyy) - Emphasizes tall stature in plants or people, with a nuance of growth.
• Antonyms:
  • низкий (nizkiy) - Short in height.
  • короткий (kortkiy) - Short in length, sometimes interchangeable in informal contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Высокий рост (vysokiy rost) - Tall stature; used in medical or descriptive contexts. (Refers to physical height in discussions about health or genetics.)
• Высокий потолок (vysokiy potolok) - High ceiling; common in architecture or interior design. (Implies spaciousness or grandeur.)
• Высокий уровень (vysokiy uroven') - High level; metaphorical for quality or standards. (Often used in professional or educational settings.)

Usage Notes:

"Высокий" directly corresponds to "tall" in English but must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, which is a key difference from English adjectives. It is versatile for both literal and figurative uses, such as describing social status (e.g., высокий статус - high status). In formal writing, prefer it over slang alternatives, and be cautious in poetic or literary contexts where synonyms might carry emotional weight. When choosing between translations, use "высокий" for physical height and "высокорослый" for growth-related descriptions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "высокий" without proper agreement, e.g., saying "Она высокий" instead of "Она высокая". Correct: Ensure the adjective matches the noun's gender (feminine in this case). Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement, unlike English, so learners often overlook endings.

• Error: Confusing with "длинный" (long), e.g., describing a tall person as "длинный" in error. Correct: Use "высокий" for vertical height. Explanation: While both can imply extension, "длинный" refers to horizontal length, leading to misuse in descriptions of people.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, height can symbolize strength or authority, as seen in folklore where heroes like Ilya Muromets are depicted as exceptionally tall. This reflects historical influences from Slavic mythology, where physical stature often correlates with moral or heroic qualities, influencing modern expressions in literature and media.

Related Concepts:

• рост (rost) - Growth or stature
• длина (dlina) - Length
• высота (vysota) - Height (more abstract or measurement-based)