Chinese word

杆

Pronunciation

Pinyingān

Meaning

  • nounpole

Example

那根杆太短了。nà gēn gān tài duǎn le

That pole is too short.

Illustration for 杆 (pole)

More examples

街道两旁立着一排电线杆。jiē dào liǎng páng lì zhe yì pái diàn xiàn gān

A row of utility poles stands on both sides of the street.

Core concept

A straight, narrow shaft used to hold, brace, or control something.

Common phrases

  • 电线杆diàn xiàn gān

    utility pole

  • 旗杆qí gān

    flagpole

  • 伞杆sǎn gān

    umbrella handle

Similar words

竿gān: A long, slender rod used for fishing.
棍gùn: A short, solid stick used especially for striking.
棒bàng: A thick, rigid stick swung by hand to exert force.
杆子gān zi: An informal term for a slender, elongated stick.

Definition in Chinese

细长的棒状物，常由木或金属制成，用于支撑、撑持或作为工具操作的部件。xì cháng de bàng zhuàng wù cháng yóu mù huò jīn shǔ zhì chéng yòng yú zhī chēng chēng chí huò zuò wéi gōng jù cāo zuò de bù jiàn

Word origin

杆 (gān, "pole; rod") originally referred mainly to a wooden shaft, and its meaning later covered similar long pieces made of other materials.

Usage tips

  • English can use "stick" for a loose piece of wood, but this Chinese noun usually highlights a long object with a practical function.

Other meanings

  • rodnoun

Related words

  • 杆子gān zisticknoun
  • 杆状gān zhuàngrod-shapedadjective

Word lists with this word