What does alto in Spanish mean?

What is the meaning of the word alto in Spanish? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use alto in Spanish.

The word alto in Spanish means tall, top, upper, high, high, senior, upper-level, high-heeled, high, loudly, high, Stop!, highest part, upper part, up above, height, high point, high place, break, cease fire!, high position, senior position, senior official, high commissioner, ceasefire!, stop along the way, stop on the road, blast furnace, high command, high command, high level, high relief, loud and clear, high relief, aim high, high cholesterol, high cholesterol level, stuck-up, high-level, high performance, professional, highly valued, set the bar high, tell to stop, order to stop, up high, up above, at the top, at the top of, high level, take a break, take a break, hold up high, in a good light, overlook, aim high, set the bar high, set high standards, set high standards, set the bar really high, speak well of, no expense is spared, high ceiling, tag, go far. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word alto

tall

adjetivo (de gran estatura)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Juan es un hombre alto.

John's a tall man.

top, upper

adjetivo (elevado)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

El café está en el estante alto.

The coffee's on the top (or: upper) shelf.

high

adjetivo (sonido: fuerte) (volume)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

La música a volumen demasiado alto daña el oído.

Music at too high a volume can damage hearing.

high

adjetivo (sonido: agudo)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

En la composición predominan las notas altas.

The piece is dominated by high notes.

senior, upper-level

adjetivo (importante, superior)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Llegó a ser un alto ejecutivo hotelero gracias a sus estudios y a su gran experiencia en el ramo.

Thanks to his qualifications and experience in the hotel trade he rose to be a senior manager.

high-heeled

adjetivo (calzado: con tacón)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Cuanto más alto sea el zapato, mayor es la presión en la parte anterior del pie.

The more high-heeled the shoe, the greater the pressure on the front of the foot.

high

adverbio (a distancia elevada)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Esos niños vuelan las cometas muy alto.

Those kids are flying their kites really high.

loudly

adverbio (sonido: fuerte)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

No puedes hablar alto en la biblioteca.

You can't speak loudly in the library.

high

adverbio (en tono agudo)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Mariah es la única que puede cantar tan alto.

Mariah is the only one who can sing so high.

Stop!

interjección (detener a alguien)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

¡Alto! Esperen un momento; piensen bien lo que harán.

Stop! Wait a moment: think carefully about what you're doing.

highest part, upper part

locución nominal masculina (parte más elevada)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Guárdalo en lo alto del armario.

Put it away in the upper part of the cupboard.

up above

locución nominal masculina (cielo)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

Las estrellas brillan en lo alto.

The stars are shining bright up above.

height

nombre masculino (altura)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

La Gran Muralla China mide de 6 a 7 m de alto.

The Great Wall of China measures 6 to 7 metres in height.

high point, high place

nombre masculino (lugar elevado)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

El lobo aúlla todas las noches desde aquel alto.

The wolf howls every night from that high place.

break

nombre masculino (parada temporal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Los caminantes hicieron un alto para descansar.

The ramblers took a break to rest up.

cease fire!

expresión (cesen los disparos) (command)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

El sargento gritó "¡Alto el fuego!" y dejaron de escucharse los disparos.

The sergeant yelled "cease fire!" and shots could no longer be heard.

high position, senior position

locución nominal masculina (puesto de responsabilidad)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Pedro tiene un alto cargo en el Ministerio del Interior.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. Mark is a senior official in the local government.

senior official

locución nominal común en cuanto al género (empleado importante)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Los altos cargos suelen recibir salarios muy elevados.

Senior officials often receive very high salaries.

high commissioner

locución nominal con flexión de género (dignatario)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

El alto comisionado de las Naciones Unidas es un defensor de los derechos humanos.

The high commissioner of the United Nations is a defender of human rights.

ceasefire!

locución interjectiva (tregua)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

¡Alto el fuego! ¡No disparen, es de los nuestros!

Ceasefire! Don't shoot! He's one of ours!

stop along the way, stop on the road

(para descansar o pensar)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Hicimos un alto en el camino en una gasolinera para tomar un café.

We made a stop along the way at a gas station to have a coffee.

blast furnace

nombre masculino (fundición de hierro)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

El mineral de hierro suele fundirse en altos hornos para extraer lingotes de hierro.

high command

nombre masculino (militar) (military)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Los altos mandos han decidido invadir las islas del Báltico.

The high command have decided to invade the Baltic islands.

high command

nombre masculino (figurado (jerarca) (organization)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Tienes que pedirle permiso al alto mando de la tribu.

You have to ask the permission of the high command of the tribe.

high level

(gran categoría)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Fue una fiesta de alto nivel.

It was a high level party.

high relief

nombre masculino (tipo de escultura)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

En la gliptoteca de Copenhague hay muchos altorrelieves de distintas culturas.

loud and clear

locución adverbial (muy claro)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Te escucho alto y fuerte.

I hear you loud and clear.

high relief

nombre masculino (arte: relieve de las figuras)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

aim high

locución verbal (aspirar a mucho)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Desde que era joven, Luis apuntó alto: hoy es uno de los mejores neurocirujanos del país.

Luis has aimed high ever since he was young: now he's one of the country's leading neurosurgeons.

high cholesterol, high cholesterol level

(nivel alto)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Mauricio inició una dieta estricta porque tiene el colesterol alto.

Mauricio began a strict diet because he has high cholesterol.

stuck-up

locución adjetiva (anticuado (de clase alta) (colloquial)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Tiene un novio de alto copete, no me gusta salir con ellos.

She's got a stuck-up boyfriend and I don't like going out with them.

high-level

(de gran categoría)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

high performance

locución adjetiva (de gran eficacia)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Mi jefe compró una impresora de alto rendimiento para la oficina.

|My boss bought a high performance printer for the office.

professional

locución adjetiva (deportista: profesional) (athlete, sportsperson)

Los deportistas de alto rendimiento deben entrenar todos los días.

Professional athletes must train every day.

highly valued

(de elevado precio) (importance)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

set the bar high

locución verbal (actuar con brillantez)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El supervisor siempre deja el listón muy alto.

tell to stop, order to stop

locución verbal (ES (ordenar parar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

¿Por qué le echaste el alto al coche?

up high, up above

locución adverbial (arriba)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Hoy brindaremos con nuestros vasos en alto.

Today we raise our glasses up high.

at the top

locución adverbial (arriba)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Acamparon en lo alto del cerro.

They camped at the top of the hill.

at the top of

locución adverbial (encima de)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Se deslizó en lo alto de la ola.

He slid along at the top of the wave.

high level

(ES (formación, ciclo profesional)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Para ese trabajo, no es necesario tener un grado alto de estudios.

Despite the work involved, a high level of studies is not required.

take a break

locución verbal (para reflexionar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Hay momentos en que es necesario hacer un alto en el camino.

There are times when it is necessary to take a break.

take a break

locución verbal (para descansar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Llevamos más de dos horas caminando; hagamos un alto.

We have been walking for over two hours. Let's take a break.

hold up high

locución verbal (mantener arriba)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Debes mantener en alto la bandera mientras cantamos el himno.

You must hold the flag up high while we sing the hymn.

in a good light

locución adverbial (con buena imagen)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Los científicos suecos dejaron el nombre del país muy en alto.

overlook

locución verbal (omitir, dejar a un lado) (accidental)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

La policía pasó por alto detalles importantes del lugar del crimen.

The police overlooked important details about the scene of the crime.

aim high

locución verbal (tener pretensiones)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Juan pica alto, pretende a la hija de su jefe.

set the bar high, set high standards

locución verbal (figurado (hacer difícil la superación)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El jurado espera que esta cantante ponga el listón alto en el concurso de canto.

The jury hopes that the singer will set high standards in the singing contest.

set high standards, set the bar really high

locución verbal (coloquial (exigir mucho)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Este tenista puso el listón muy alto, será difícil igualarlo.

speak well of

locución verbal (dar buena imagen de)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Los atletas siempre ponen en alto el nombre de Alemania en las olimpiadas.

no expense is spared

locución adverbial (coloquial (con fastuosidad)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

No escatimaron en gastos, se casaron por todo lo alto.

They didn't skimp on costs. They got married in style.

high ceiling

(diseño, construcción)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

tag

locución nominal masculina (juego infantil) (game)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

go far

(figurado (alcanzar el éxito)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El grupo musical volará alto, es muy bueno.

The musical group will go far, they're very good.

Let's learn Spanish

So now that you know more about the meaning of alto in Spanish, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in Spanish.