Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
拐杖 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
拐杖
guǎizhàng
crutches
HSK 7, n, 15 strokes, rank #8597, Very Hard
拐杖
guǎizhàng
crutch
HSK 7, n, 15 strokes, rank #8597, Very Hard
拐杖
guǎizhàng
walking stick
HSK 7, n, 15 strokes, rank #8597, Very Hard
guǎizhàng(guai3zhang4)guai zhang T3
1crutches
2crutch
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
拐杖guǎizhàng(guai3zhang4)
The term 拐杖 (guǎi zhàng) refers to a walking aid used to support individuals who have difficulty walking. Commonly used in medical contexts, it can refer to crutches or any type of walking stick that provides stability and balance. This word is often encountered in discussions about health, rehabilitation, and mobility aids.
Strokes15Frequency#8597DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, mobility aids such as 拐杖 are often viewed with sensitivity, as they signify both physical challenges and the importance of caring for the elderly or disabled. It's common in traditional Chinese medicine to emphasize rehabilitation and support for those with mobility issues.
Memory tip
Imagine a walking stick that has an elbow (拐) and a strong support (杖). Picture someone using this stick to navigate through a busy street, emphasizing its role in providing assistance and stability. The 'guai' part sounds like 'way' in 'away,' suggesting guidance, while 'zhang' resembles 'strong' in 'stronghold,' indicating support.
Meanings of 拐杖
guǎizhàng(guai3zhang4)
1crutches
2crutch
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 拐杖 means.
About 拐杖
拐杖Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8597Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 拐杖
Podcast: 拐杖
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 拐杖
Usage Notes
Be careful to use 拐杖 in contexts specifically related to mobility aids, as it may not apply to other types of sticks or poles. The term is neutral, but when discussing it in a medical context, be sure to maintain a respectful tone. Common collocations include '使用拐杖' (to use crutches) and '拐杖的种类' (types of crutches).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 拐杖 connects with other health-related vocabulary and terms about assistance and rehabilitation. Focus on understanding its usage in medical contexts, and practice forming sentences that include related vocabulary like 病人 (patient) and 走路 (to walk).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 拐杖 with other types of sticks, such as 棍子 (gùn zi), which refers to a stick or club. Remember that 拐杖 specifically denotes a supportive walking aid, while 棍子 does not imply assistance.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 拐杖
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 拐杖, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 拐杖 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 拐杖?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 拐杖 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The term 拐杖 (guǎi zhàng) refers to a walking aid used to support individuals who have difficulty walking. Commonly used in medical contexts, it can refer to crutches or any type of walking stick that provides stability and balance. This word is often encountered in discussions about health, rehabilitation, and mobility aids.
When to use 拐杖
Be careful to use 拐杖 in contexts specifically related to mobility aids, as it may not apply to other types of sticks or poles. The term is neutral, but when discussing it in a medical context, be sure to maintain a respectful tone. Common collocations include '使用拐杖' (to use crutches) and '拐杖的种类' (types of crutches).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 拐杖 with other types of sticks, such as 棍子 (gùn zi), which refers to a stick or club. Remember that 拐杖 specifically denotes a supportive walking aid, while 棍子 does not imply assistance.
Write 拐杖
拐
杖
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 拐杖 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 拐杖
拐杖 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 3 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他费力地拄着____，一瘸一拐地着向汽车走去。
Using his stick heavily, he moved jerkily towards the car.
Example sentences for 拐杖 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他费力地拄着拐杖，一瘸一拐地着向汽车走去。
tā fèilì dì zhǔ zhe guǎizhàng， yī qué yī guǎi dì zhe xiàng qìchē zǒu qù。
Using his stick heavily, he moved jerkily towards the car.
2
他把一根拐杖靠在栏杆上。
tā bǎ yī gēn guǎizhàng kào zài lángān shàng。
He rested one of his crutches against the rail.
3
他腿摔断了以后,不得不靠拐杖走路.
tā tuǐ shuāi duàn le yǐhòu, bùdébù kào guǎizhàng zǒulù.
When he broke his leg he had to walk on crutches.
4
那老汉拄着拐杖一瘸一拐地走着.
nà lǎohàn zhǔ zhe guǎizhàng yī qué yī guǎi dì zǒu zhe.
The old man hobbled along ( the road ) with the aid of his stick.
5
他拄着拐杖, 走得慢慢地, 挟着一本很大的剪贴簿.
tā zhǔ zhe guǎizhàng, zǒu de mànmàn dì, jiā zhe yī běn hěn dà de jiǎn tiē bù.
He came slowly, on crutches, clutching a big scrapbook.
