Both translate as 'alto', but one is for people and vertical objects, the other for altitude and levels.
Adjective. Describes the height of people, trees, buildings, and thin vertical objects. Height measured from the base.
He is very tall. He is over two meters.
Él es muy alto. Mide más de dos metros.
The Eiffel Tower is very tall.
La Torre Eiffel es muy alta.
She has tall boots that reach her knees.
Ella tiene botas altas que le llegan a las rodillas.
Adjective. Describes elevated position, altitude, level, price, or intensity. Not necessarily measured from the ground.
The plane is flying at a high altitude.
El avión vuela a gran altitud.
The prices are very high this year.
Los precios están muy altos este año.
She has a very high voice.
Ella tiene una voz muy aguda.
Common mistake
Using "tall" for altitudes or levels. Wrong: "The prices are very tall." (correct: high.) Or "The plane is flying at a tall altitude." (correct: high altitude.)
Trick to remember it
"Tall" = things with physical height measured from the ground: people, trees, buildings, boots. "High" = position, altitude, price, level, or intensity: planes, mountains, prices, temperature, voice. Think: "high altitude", "high price", "high five". Never "tall".
Quick rule
Describing the physical stature of a person, tree, or building? Use "tall". Describing altitude, level, price, or intensity? Use "high".
Did you know?
Buildings are interesting: both "tall" and "high" can describe them, but with nuances. "A tall building" focuses on how far it extends upward from the ground. "A high building" emphasizes that it occupies an elevated position. In practice, "tall" is more common for buildings.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
She is very _____ for a basketball player.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
The plane is flying at a very _____ altitude.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Describing the physical stature of a person, tree, or building? Use "tall". Describing altitude, level, price, or intensity? Use "high".
Using "tall" for altitudes or levels. Wrong: "The prices are very tall." (correct: high.) Or "The plane is flying at a tall altitude." (correct: high altitude.)
"Tall" = things with physical height measured from the ground: people, trees, buildings, boots. "High" = position, altitude, price, level, or intensity: planes, mountains, prices, temperature, voice. Think: "high altitude", "high price", "high five". Never "tall".
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy