Definitions

gān (noun) pole; rod
gǎn (noun) stick; lever

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

杆 is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic radical 木 (wood/tree) on the left, indicating its material, and the phonetic component 干 on the right. The character originally denoted a solid wooden pole or rod used for practical purposes. Depending on its tone, it functions as a noun for a pole or lever, or as a measure word for long, cylindrical objects like rifles or pens. The component 干, which can mean "shield", "to interfere", or "dry", serves here solely for its phonetic value to indicate the character's pronunciation.

Etymology Hide

Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他把旗插在土里。

Tā bǎ qígān chā zài tǔ lǐ.

He planted the flagpole in the soil.

被漆成了白色。

Lángān bèi qī chéng le báisè.

The railing was painted white.

他用杠撬动了石头。

Tā yòng gànggǎn qiàodòng le shítou.

He used a lever to move the stone.

钓竿的子非常结实。

Diàogān de gǎnzi fēicháng jiēshi.

The rod of the fishing pole is very sturdy.

电线上贴满了广告。

Diànxiàngān shàng tiē mǎn le guǎnggào.

The utility pole is covered with advertisements.

他用笔轻轻敲着桌子。

Tā yòng bǐgǎn qīngqīng qiāo zhe zhuōzi.

He tapped the table lightly with the pen holder.

这个实验需要用到光

Zhège shíyàn xūyào yòng dào guānggǎn.

This experiment requires the use of a bare rod.

秤是古代常用的衡量工具。

Gǎnchèng shì gǔdài chángyòng de héngliáng gōngjù.

The steelyard is a weighing tool commonly used in ancient times.