高度

• Pinyin: gāo dù
• Hanzi breakdown: 高 = pictograph of a tall building; 度 = 广 (shelter) + 又 (hand) + 尺 — measure

Meaning

Height; altitude; highly; high degree of. The vertical distance of something, or used adverbially to mean 'extremely' or 'to a high degree.'

As a noun, refers to physical height or altitude. As an adjective/adverb, means 'highly' or 'great degree of' — 高度重视 (attach great importance), 高度评价 (highly praise). Different from 高 which is simpler.

Examples

1. 这座山的高度超过了四千米。 The height of this mountain exceeds four thousand meters.
2. 领导对这个项目高度重视。 The leadership attaches great importance to this project.
3. 我们的合作已经达到了新的高度。 Our cooperation has reached a new height.

Usage Guide

Context: science, business, evaluation

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 飞机的飞行高度是多少？(What is the flight altitude of the airplane?)
• 我们高度赞赏你的贡献。(We highly appreciate your contribution.)

Don't Say

• 说'他的高度很好'表示身高好 (Don't use 高度 for a person's body height in casual speech — use 身高 or just 高; 高度 is for objects or abstract measures)

Origin & History

高 (high, tall) + 度 (degree, measure). Together meaning 'height' or 'high degree.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal