cane, pole, stick

JLPT N5 7 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Meaning and Usage

The character '' primarily refers to a long, slender object such as a pole, rod, stick, or cane. It is often used to describe physical objects like fishing rods (), flagpoles, or support poles.

Common Collocations

  • (a pole/stick): used to specify a single rod or stick.
  • (fishing rod): a common compound word.
  • (support pole): used in construction or support contexts.

Usage Notes

'' is a concrete noun and rarely used metaphorically. It is distinct from '' (gùn), which often implies a thicker or heavier stick, sometimes used as a weapon. '' tends to emphasize length and slenderness. When combined with measure words, '' is the most common.

Common Confusion

Learners sometimes confuse '' with '' (gǎnzi). '' is the noun form with the suffix '' added, often used colloquially. Both are interchangeable in many contexts, but '' sounds more informal.

Register and Tone

'' is neutral in tone and suitable for everyday conversation and written language. It is not formal or literary but widely used in daily speech.

Example Sentences

He is using a pole to push the boat.

This pole is too long to move.

When fishing, he holds the fishing rod very attentively.