hoch
high / tall
Describes a large vertical extent; the opposite of low.
EXAMPLE
Der Mount Everest ist der höchste Berg der Welt.
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
hoch
high
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Meanings
hoch
high
Describes a large amount, a high level, or a large value.
EXAMPLE
Die Preise für Benzin sind im Moment sehr hoch.
Gas prices are very high at the moment.
hoch
high-ranking
Refers to an important or high-ranking position in a social or professional hierarchy.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat eine hohe Position im Unternehmen.
She has a high-ranking position in the company.
hoch
high-pitched
Describes a high frequency in sounds; the opposite of low.
EXAMPLE
Sie kann sehr hohe Töne singen.
She can sing very high notes.
hoch
high / advanced
Describes an advanced or sophisticated state, often in relation to culture, science, or an era.
EXAMPLE
Das Hochmittelalter war eine Zeit großer kultureller Blüte.
The High Middle Ages were a time of great cultural flourishing.
Usage tips
Special form
When 'hoch' (high) comes before a noun and receives an ending, the word stem changes: the 'c' is dropped. 'hoch' then becomes 'hoh-'. This is an important and fixed rule.
EXAMPLE
Das ist ein sehr hohes Gebäude.
That is a very tall building.
Word family
The adjective 'hoch' (high) is the basis for the noun 'die Höhe' (height) and the verb 'erhöhen' (to increase). If you learn these words together, you can remember the meaning more easily.
EXAMPLE
Die Höhe des Turms beträgt über 200 Meter.
The height of the tower is over 200 meters.
Abstract use
Very often, 'hoch' (high) describes not only physical height, but also a large amount or high intensity in abstract things. Typical combinations are a high price, high quality, a high risk, or a high fever.
EXAMPLE
Die Nachfrage nach diesem Produkt ist sehr hoch.
Demand for this product is very high.
Social rank
In social or professional contexts, 'hoch' (high) describes an important position or important status. For example, people speak of 'eine hohe Position' (a high-ranking position) or 'ein hohes Tier' (literally: a high animal; colloquial for an important person).
EXAMPLE
Er hat einen hohen Rang beim Militär.
He has a high rank in the military.
Sounds and voices
In music or speech, 'hoch' (high) describes a high frequency. Typical combinations are 'eine hohe Stimme' (a high voice) or 'ein hoher Ton' (a high note/sound).
EXAMPLE
Das Baby macht ganz hohe Geräusche.
The baby is making very high-pitched noises.
Compare with
hoch vs groß
big / great
Groß and hoch can both describe above-average vertical extent. For people, you usually say how groß they are; for buildings, mountains, and similar things, hoch describes their height. Groß or hoch is therefore more suitable depending on the object, although their meanings partly overlap.
hoch
Der neue Turm ist 30 Meter hoch.
The new tower is 30 meters high.
groß
Meine Schwester ist schon 1,80 Meter groß.
My sister is already 1.80 meters tall.
In real life
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