HSK 7, q, 7 strokes, radical 木, rank #2946, Very Hard
杆
gān
stick
HSK 7, q, 7 strokes, radical 木, rank #2946, Very Hard
杆
gān
lever
HSK 7, q, 7 strokes, radical 木, rank #2946, Very Hard
杆
gān
classifier for long objects such as guns
HSK 7, q, 7 strokes, radical 木, rank #2946, Very Hard
杆
gān
cane, pole, stick
HSK 7, q, 7 strokes, radical 木, rank #2946, Very Hard
杆
gǎn
pole
HSK 7, q, 7 strokes, radical 木, rank #2946, Very Hard
杆
gǎn
stick
HSK 7, q, 7 strokes, radical 木, rank #2946, Very Hard
杆
gǎn
lever
HSK 7, q, 7 strokes, radical 木, rank #2946, Very Hard
杆
gǎn
classifier for long objects such as guns
HSK 7, q, 7 strokes, radical 木, rank #2946, Very Hard
杆
gǎn
cane, pole, stick
HSK 7, q, 7 strokes, radical 木, rank #2946, Very Hard
gǎn(gan3)
primary
T3
1pole
2stick
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
杆(桿)gǎn(gan3)
The character 杆 (gān) refers to a pole or stick, often used in contexts involving long, slender objects such as levers or guns. It can also function as a classifier for these types of items, which include canes and rods. This term is commonly used in both everyday conversation and technical discussions.
Strokes7Radical木Frequency#2946DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, poles are often associated with traditional sports and activities, such as pole vaulting or even in martial arts where a staff is used. The use of poles in festivals, such as dragon boat races, also highlights their cultural significance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tall pole (杆) standing straight up in the ground. The shape of the character resembles a tall stick, with the top part like a flag waving on a pole, reminding you of its meaning as a long object. The sound 'gān' can be remembered by thinking of 'gone' as the pole stands alone, emphasizing its upright and isolated nature.
Meanings of 杆
gǎn(gan3)
primary
1pole
2stick
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 杆
杆Simplified
桿Traditional
7Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2946Frequency Rank
条Measure Word
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 杆
Podcast: 杆
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AI Study Notes for 杆
Quick Contrast
杆 (gān) vs 棍 (gùn) — use 杆 when referring to a pole or stick in a more formal or technical context, while 棍 typically refers to a stick or rod used in a more casual or informal sense.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 杆 (gān) with other similar characters like 根 (gēn), which also refers to long objects but has different nuances. It's important to use 杆 in contexts specifically referring to poles or sticks, especially in more formal descriptions. Be cautious with tones, as mispronouncing the tone can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
While 杆 is not an HSK level word, it connects to other vocabulary related to objects and tools, such as 棍 (gùn, stick) and 叉 (chā, fork). Students should focus on recognizing its use as a classifier and in compound words, which may appear in daily conversations about sports or tools.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 杆 with 棍 (gùn), which also means stick but is used more in the context of instruments for sports or martial arts. For example, saying '我有一根棍' (Wǒ yǒu yī gēn gùn) instead of '我有一根杆' (Wǒ yǒu yī gēn gān) can lead to misinterpretation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 杆
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Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 干 represents the sound. Simplified form of 桿.
1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
2The sound half干 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywood
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 杆? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 杆?
Decomposition of 杆
IDS Structure⿰木干
杆Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
干gan1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 杆?
How to say pole in Chinese
“pole” in Chinese is杆gān
The character 杆 (gān) refers to a pole or stick, often used in contexts involving long, slender objects such as levers or guns. It can also function as a classifier for these types of items, which include canes and rods. This term is commonly used in both everyday conversation and technical discussions.
When to use 杆
Common mistakes include confusing 杆 (gān) with other similar characters like 根 (gēn), which also refers to long objects but has different nuances. It's important to use 杆 in contexts specifically referring to poles or sticks, especially in more formal descriptions. Be cautious with tones, as mispronouncing the tone can lead to misunderstandings.
杆 or something close to it
杆 (gān) vs 棍 (gùn) — use 杆 when referring to a pole or stick in a more formal or technical context, while 棍 typically refers to a stick or rod used in a more casual or informal sense.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 杆 with 棍 (gùn), which also means stick but is used more in the context of instruments for sports or martial arts. For example, saying '我有一根棍' (Wǒ yǒu yī gēn gùn) instead of '我有一根杆' (Wǒ yǒu yī gēn gān) can lead to misinterpretation.
Write 杆
杆
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Practice writing 杆 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 杆
杆 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 5 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
你得把油门____往前推来加大马力。
You have to push the throttle forward for more power.
