Japanese word

棒

Pronunciation

Romajibō

Meaning

  • nounstick

Example

この棒は長いです。ko no bō wa naga i de su

This stick is long.

Illustration for 棒 (stick)

More examples

この棒で砂に絵を描きます。ko no bō de suna ni e o ega ki ma su

I draw a picture in the sand with this stick.

子どもが棒で地面に線を描いています。ko do mo ga bō de ji men ni sen o ega i te i ma su

A child is drawing a line on the ground with a stick.

Core concept

A long, narrow object is treated as a simple solid piece that can be held, used as a support, or set upright.

Common phrases

  • 棒を持つbō o mo tsu

    hold a stick

  • 棒で支えるbō de sasa e ru

    support with a stick

Similar words

杖tsue: A stick used to support the body while walking or standing.
竿sao: A long, narrow piece used to reach, move, or support something.

Definition in Japanese

木・金属などでできた、細長く硬い物。ki kin zoku na do de de ki ta hoso naga ku kata i mono

Word origin

A Sino-Japanese noun, 棒 (bō, "stick") comes from the on-yomi reading of the Chinese character 棒, whose basic meaning is a long, solid piece.

Usage tips

  • The word 棒 (bō) can describe an object used temporarily for many purposes, so speakers often add its purpose or setting when the exact kind of object matters.

Other meanings

  • polenoun
  • rodnoun

Related words

  • 棒状bōjōrod-shapedna-adjective

Word lists with this word