Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
竿gān(gan1)
The character 竿 (gān) primarily refers to a long, slender pole made of bamboo or other materials, commonly used for fishing, flagpoles, or as a support structure. In informal contexts, it can also be a slang term for the male genitalia, highlighting the informal and colloquial use of the word. Its versatility in meaning makes it important to be aware of context when using or interpreting this term.
Strokes9Radical⺮Frequency#19695DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, bamboo is highly valued for its strength and flexibility, often symbolizing resilience and integrity. The use of bamboo poles can be seen in traditional fishing methods and various cultural festivals.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall, straight bamboo pole standing proudly in a field. To remember the pronunciation 'gān', think of a 'gandalf' character who uses a pole to guide his way. Visualize Gandalf wielding a bamboo pole to navigate through a forest, emphasizing its length and utility.
Meanings of 竿
gān(gan1)
1bamboo pole; penis
2pole
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 竿
竿Simplified
9Strokes
⺮Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 竿
Podcast: 竿
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 竿
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tall, straight bamboo pole standing proudly in a field. To remember the pronunciation 'gān', think of a 'gandalf' character who uses a pole to guide his way. Visualize Gandalf wielding a bamboo pole to navigate through a forest, emphasizing its length and utility.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include using 竿 in overly formal situations where a more specific term would be appropriate, such as '杆' (gǎn) for flagpole or fishing rod. Be aware of the informal usage; in casual settings among friends, it may refer to male anatomy, but this should be avoided in formal conversations.
HSK Study Tips
Although 竿 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it is useful to recognize its connections to other words involving poles, such as '杆' (gǎn) and '支架' (zhījià - support). Focus on differentiating similar-sounding words to improve comprehension.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, bamboo is highly valued for its strength and flexibility, often symbolizing resilience and integrity. The use of bamboo poles can be seen in traditional fishing methods and various cultural festivals.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 竿 with 杆 (gǎn), which has a different tone and meaning. For example, saying '我用杆钓鱼' (Wǒ yòng gān diàoyú) is incorrect; it should be '我用竿钓鱼' (Wǒ yòng gān diàoyú).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 竿
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 竿 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 竿 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 竿
竿 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
那不关你的事，与你八____子打不着。
That's none of your business, it has nothing to do with you.
Example Sentences for 竿 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
那不关你的事，与你八竿子打不着。
nà bù guān nǐ de shì， ， yǔ nǐ bā gān zǐ dǎ bù。
That's none of your business, it has nothing to do with you.
2
用鱼竿钓鱼
yòng yú gān diào yú
fishing with rod and line
3
鱼的重量很大,把鱼竿啪的一声压成两截了.
yú de zhòng liáng hěn dà, , bǎ yú gān pā de yī shēng yā chéng liǎng jié.
The weight of fish snapped the fishing rod in two.
4
把这块木头绑到那根竿子上使它更长些.
bǎ zhè kuài mù tóu bǎng dào nà gēn gān zǐ shàng shǐ tā gēng cháng xiē.
Lash the piece of wood to the pole to make it longer.
5
她的长发稀疏，毫无光泽，两条腿跟竹竿似的。
tā de cháng fā xī shū， ， háo wú guāng， zé ， liǎng tiáo tuǐ gēn zhú gān。
She had stringy hair and skinny legs.
6
我醒来时,已日上三竿了.
wǒ xǐng lái shí, , yǐ rì shàng sān gān.
When I woke the sun was three poles high.
7
钓鱼竿上的绕线轮
diào yú gān shàng de rào xiàn lún
a reel on a fishing rod
8
贝德的钓竿已经裂了, 而蒙德的绕线已经损坏了.
bèi dé de diào gān yǐ jīng liè le, , ér mēng dé de rào xiàn yǐ jīng sǔn huài.
Baker's rod is splintered , and Mond's reel is out of fix.
In Chinese culture, bamboo is highly valued for its strength and flexibility, often symbolizing resilience and integrity. The use of bamboo poles can be seen in traditional fishing methods and various cultural festivals.
Word Family of 竿
Words Containing This Character9
竿gānpole
立竿见影quick results立竿見影
鱼竿fishing rod魚竿
竿子bamboo pole
钓竿fishing rod釣竿
百尺竿头to be at the highest level of enlightenment (Buddhist expression)百尺竿頭
撑竿跳pole-vaulting撐竿跳
滑竿Chinese-style sedan chair
标竿benchmark標竿
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 竿 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 竿
No, while it primarily means 'bamboo pole', it can also refer to other types of long poles and has slang connotations.
You might say '我需要一根竿来钓鱼' (Wǒ xūyào yī gēn gān lái diàoyú) meaning 'I need a pole to fish.'
A common synonym is '杆' (gǎn), which also refers to poles but can specify types like flagpoles.
