gou1 dang2高等
Jyutpinggou1 dang2
Yalegōu dáng
Definition
Higher; higher-level; advanced; superior.
neutralschooldescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on academic, technical, or hierarchical superiority rather than physical height. It is almost exclusively used in formal or institutional contexts like education or biology. Using it to describe a person's social status in casual conversation can sound overly clinical or even condescending.
Examples
He is studying advanced mathematics; it is very profound.
This is higher education; not everyone can handle it.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 高, which is the standard adjective for physical height. Using 高等 to describe a tall person is grammatically incorrect and will sound very strange to native speakers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
