High-heeled shoes, or gāo gēn xié, are footwear with elevated heels—typically 5 cm or higher—that lift the heel significantly above the toe. The word breaks down literally: gāo means 'high', gēn means 'heel' (referring specifically to the rear part of the foot or shoe), and xié means 'shoes'. Together, they form a compound noun describing a distinct category of formal, fashionable, or occasion-specific footwear commonly worn by women in professional, social, or celebratory settings.

While traditionally associated with femininity and elegance, gāo gēn xié can also carry cultural connotations around confidence, status, or effort—sometimes even discomfort, as many speakers note how tiring they are to wear for long periods. They appear frequently in fashion discussions, shopping contexts, and conversations about appearance or workplace dress codes. Unlike casual footwear like qiǎo kè lì (sneakers) or mù xié (sandals), gāo gēn xié implies intentional styling and often requires practice to walk comfortably.