Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Tall in Spanish
Alto · adjective · AHL-toh
The Spanish word for tall is <b>alto</b>, an adjective used to describe people, buildings, and objects that have above-average height.
AHL-toh
Mi hermano es muy alto para su edad.
My brother is very tall for his age.
Tall in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for tall, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| alto | tall | AHL-toh | Default, widely understood |
| elevado | tall | General, for tall structures or elevated things | |
| espigado | tall | General, tall and slender (people) |
How Native Speakers Use Alto
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Describing a person
La jugadora de baloncesto es alta y muy atlética.
The basketball player is tall and very athletic.
Describing someone's physical appearance.
Comparing heights
¿Quién es más alto, tú o tu padre?
Who is taller, you or your father?
Making a height comparison between family members.
Describing a building
Ese edificio es el más alto de toda la ciudad.
That building is the tallest in the entire city.
Pointing out an impressive structure in a skyline.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Alto
Forgetting gender agreement
Incorrect: Mi madre es alto.
Correct: Mi madre es alta.
Alto changes to 'alta' when describing a feminine noun. Spanish adjectives must agree in gender with the noun they modify.
Confusing alto (tall) with alto (stop/high)
Incorrect: La señal dice alto, así que el poste es grande. (mixing up meanings)
Correct: La señal dice alto. / El poste es alto.
'Alto' as a command means 'stop' (as on a stop sign), and as an adjective it can mean 'tall' or 'high.' These are distinct uses. Context determines the meaning.
Lock in Tall Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Alto used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using alto in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Mi hermano es muy alto para su edad. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Tall in Spanish
- Does alto only mean tall?
- No, 'alto' has several meanings in Spanish. It can mean tall (for people), high (for objects, prices, or sounds), or stop (as an interjection or on traffic signs). The meaning depends entirely on context.
- How do you say 'How tall are you?' in Spanish?
- You say '¿Cuánto mides?' which literally translates to 'How much do you measure?' This is the standard way to ask about someone's height in Spanish, rather than a direct translation using 'alto.'
- What is the difference between alto and espigado?
- 'Alto' simply means tall and can describe anyone or anything with above-average height. 'Espigado' is more literary and describes someone who is tall and slender, often with an elegant connotation. It is less common in everyday speech.