高于

• Pinyin: gāo yú
• Hanzi breakdown: 高 = high; 于 = in/at/compared to

Meaning

Higher than; above; exceeding. Comparing something as greater than another.

Used for numerical comparisons, rankings, and figurative superiority. Common in economic, statistical, and academic contexts for expressing that one value exceeds another.

Examples

1. 今年的销售额高于去年百分之二十。 This year's sales are twenty percent higher than last year.
2. 他的成绩高于班级平均水平。 His grades are above the class average.
3. 这里的物价明显高于其他城市。 The prices here are noticeably higher than in other cities.

Usage Guide

Context: comparison, statistics, economics

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 质量高于一切。(Quality is above everything.)
• 实际数字高于预期。(The actual figure is higher than expected.)

Don't Say

• 他高于我 for physical height (For comparing people's height, say 他比我高 — 高于 is for abstract or numerical comparisons)

Origin & History

Compound of 高 (high) + 于 (compared to), meaning higher in comparison.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal