Japanese word

竿

Pronunciation

Romajisao

Meaning

  • nounpole

Example

竹の竿を運びます。take no sao o hako bi ma su

I carry a bamboo pole.

Illustration for 竿 (pole)

More examples

洗濯物を竿に掛けます。sen taku butsu o sao ni ka ke ma su

I hang the laundry on the pole.

Core concept

Presents a long, narrow object as a tool for supporting, reaching, or handling things.

Common phrases

  • 竿を持つsao o mo tsu

    hold a pole

  • 竿を担ぐsao o katsu gu

    carry a pole on one's shoulder

Similar words

棒bō: A straight, solid length of material used for holding, moving, or supporting things.
ポールpōru: A long, usually rigid rod used as a support, marker, or barrier.

Definition in Japanese

竹などで作る、支えや操作に用いる細長い棒。take na do de tsuku ru sasa e ya sō sa ni mochi i ru hoso naga i bō

Word origin

竿 (sao, "pole") is a native Japanese word, but its exact word formation is uncertain; the kanji 竿 was adopted to write the existing word.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, a 物干し竿 (monohoshizao, "laundry pole") is the long pole on which clothes are hung outdoors.

Other meanings

  • rodnoun

Word lists with this word