Chinese word

拐杖

Pronunciation

Pinyinguǎi zhàng

Meaning

  • nouncane

Example

老人外出时总是拿着拐杖。lǎo rén wài chū shí zǒng shì ná zhe guǎi zhàng

The elderly person always carries a cane when going out.

Illustration for 拐杖 (cane)

More examples

他一瘸一拐地拄着拐杖走进教室。tā yì qué yì guǎi dì zhǔ zhe guǎi zhàng zǒu jìn jiào shì

He limped into the classroom leaning on a cane.

Core concept

A walking aid held in the hand that bears some weight and helps keep the body balanced.

Common phrases

  • 拄着拐杖zhǔ zhe guǎi zhàng

    lean on a cane

  • 拿着拐杖ná zhe guǎi zhàng

    carry a cane

  • 一根拐杖yì gēn guǎi zhàng

    a cane

Similar words

拐棍guǎi gùn: A support stick held in the hand to make walking steadier by helping balance the body.
手杖shǒu zhàng: A staff held by hand for support when standing or walking and for keeping balance.

Definition in Chinese

一种手持的辅助行走用具，通常为一根长棍，用来支撑身体、减轻负重并帮助保持平衡。yì zhǒng shǒu chí de fǔ zhù xíng zǒu yòng jù tōng cháng wèi yì gēn cháng gùn yòng lái zhī chēng shēn tǐ jiǎn qīng fù zhòng bìng bāng zhù bǎo chí píng héng

Word origin

拐杖 (guǎizhàng, "cane") is formed from 拐 (guǎi, "to limp") and 杖 (zhàng, "staff"), giving the image of a staff for walking with difficulty.

Usage tips

  • 拄拐杖 (zhǔ guǎizhàng, "lean on a cane") describes relying on the support, whereas 拿着拐杖 (názhe guǎizhàng, "hold a cane") only describes carrying it.

Other meanings

  • crutchnoun

Word lists with this word