lostboy Posted September 6, 2005 at 04:59 AM Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 at 04:59 AM Hi, First of all, I want to apologize if this is rude or unappropiate to just go out and ask a favor like this so plainly. But I have no other idea how to figure this out, as I do not speak Chinese or have or know of any resources at all to translate a character. I am hoping someone will be generous enough to aid me. I will be so grateful. I have a glass decoration that was given to me a long time ago. However, I would like to now give it to my friend, as she just got her own place and I think she would love it. Especially if the character matches her. I speak Japanese (but not the best), and I discovered the character to mean "high" in Japanese. But I'm not sure if this is referring to potential or charisma etc. She is a really free, charismatic person, so I'm hoping the item matches her. I have taken a webcam shot of the decoration. I am open to opinion. Thank you so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted September 6, 2005 at 05:06 AM Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 at 05:06 AM It is the same meaning in Chinese, high or tall. I haven't seen it used decoratively like that before. Roddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atitarev Posted September 6, 2005 at 05:29 AM Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 at 05:29 AM 高 (gāo) - Chinese (gao pronounced in the first tone) 高い (takai) - Japanese (as the main reading) or kō (long "ko") without the letter い (i) in compound words. If you speak some Japanese - takai is a very common word: この高い建物です。kono takai tatemono des. (it's this tall building) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skylee Posted September 6, 2005 at 05:58 AM Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 at 05:58 AM 高 (gāo) is also a Chinese surname. Would the disc be a gift for someone with this name? 高い (takai) also means expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostboy Posted September 7, 2005 at 05:24 AM Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 at 05:24 AM Thanks for the responses everyone. They all confirm my thoughts. I know, it seems the only Chinese characters I've seen used decoratively like this are "peace" or "joy" or "luck" and so on. I wonder if this is some sort of Americanized item? If you know what I mean. Of course interpretation and meaning and value all depend on the eye of the beholder, but would you guys still think this a feasible gift to a friend? I don't want to give her something that I wouldn't believe in. I am open to more opinions, and thanks a lot for the previous ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipponman Posted September 7, 2005 at 10:38 AM Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 at 10:38 AM Also, gao used to be written like this, and was changed to 高. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gougou Posted September 7, 2005 at 03:11 PM Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 at 03:11 PM As I don't know where you're from, I don't know about local customs, but I (German) have been taught not to give away something that has been given to me by somebody else. But then again, I have also been taught not to cross the street when the lights are red and not to make noises while eating... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maybedaisy Posted September 9, 2005 at 08:12 AM Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 at 08:12 AM I suppose it must apporiate her ,because in Chinese, high is just the literal meaning, in addition to that, Gao can extend to many other meanings. Gao is a adjective, so different match give different meanings . "地位高" means "high position" "主意真高",means "good idea",etc. Nearly all words refered to Gao has the active meaning, so it must be a good present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maniac Posted September 10, 2005 at 07:53 PM Report Share Posted September 10, 2005 at 07:53 PM it could mean "you are so brilliant,or you are so smart" when you just say "高" to someone face to face . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostboy Posted September 11, 2005 at 06:19 AM Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2005 at 06:19 AM Thank you all. I really appreciate it. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandarin123 Posted October 7, 2005 at 09:55 PM Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 at 09:55 PM 高 as in "步步高生" ： congratulate someone just get promoted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skylee Posted October 8, 2005 at 10:54 PM Report Share Posted October 8, 2005 at 10:54 PM It should be 步步高"升". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandarin123 Posted October 10, 2005 at 11:51 PM Report Share Posted October 10, 2005 at 11:51 PM my bad, overlooked it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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