杆

桿

gān, gǎn

干 + 木

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

gān (noun) pole; rod

gǎn (noun) stick; lever

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 干 represents the sound. Simplified form of 桿.

Semantic: 木 Phonetic: 干

About

杆 is a phono-semantic compound and the simplified form of 桿. The semantic component 木 ('wood') denotes a wooden object, while 干 (gān) gives the sound. Originally, it referred to a solid wooden pole, staff, or rod used in daily life. In modern usage, depending on the tone, it serves as a noun meaning pole or lever, or as a measure word for long cylindrical things such as rifles, pens, and spears. The phonetic 干, which can independently mean 'shield,' 'to interfere,' or 'dry,' is used here only for its phonetic value.

Etymology Hide

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他把旗杆插在土里。

Tā bǎ qígān chā zài tǔ lǐ.

He planted the flagpole in the soil.

栏杆被漆成了白色。

Lángān bèi qī chéng le báisè.

The railing was painted white.

他用杠杆撬动了石头。

Tā yòng gànggǎn qiàodòng le shítou.

He used a lever to move the stone.

钓竿的杆子非常结实。

Diàogān de gǎnzi fēicháng jiēshi.

The rod of the fishing pole is very sturdy.

电线杆上贴满了广告。

Diànxiàngān shàng tiē mǎn le guǎnggào.

The utility pole is covered with advertisements.

他用笔杆轻轻敲着桌子。

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杆。

Zhège shíyàn xūyào yòng dào guānggǎn.

This experiment requires the use of a bare rod.

杆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.

Related Characters

Component: 干

Component: 木

杆