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JLPT N112画 · 12 strokesradical 木grade 6freq #1455

rod, stick, cane, pole

Also: club, line

On'yomi (音読み)

  • ボウ

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

Mnemonic

Picture a tall stick (棒) leaning against a tree (木), strong enough to support you like a cane on a hike.

About this kanji

The kanji 「棒」 primarily means 'rod' or 'stick' and is used as a noun. You can find it in various compounds like 鉄棒 (てつぼう), which means 'iron rod,' often used in gymnastics or construction. Another example is 泥棒 (どろぼう), meaning 'thief,' which highlights a person who takes things unlawfully. There's also 用心棒 (ようじんぼう), meaning 'bodyguard,' a person who protects someone. Additionally, the expression ぶっきら棒 (ぶっきらぼう) describes someone who is curt or blunt in their speech. Note that this kanji is often associated with objects that have a long and thin form.

Example sentences

  • 彼は木の棒を持っている。

    He is holding a wooden stick.

Meanings across languages

English
rod, stick, cane, pole, club, line
Tiếng Việt
cán, gậy, gậy, cột, câu lạc bộ, câu
日本語
棒, スティック, 杖, 棒, クラブ, 線
한국어
막대, 지팡이, 대, 극, 클럽, 줄
中文
杆, 棒, 棍, 极棒, 俱乐部, 线
id
tongkat
th
ไม้
es
vara, palo
fr
bâton
de
Stab, Stock
pt
bastão

Common compounds

  • 鉄棒てつぼうiron rod, iron bar, iron club
  • 泥棒どろぼうthief, burglar, robber
  • 用心棒ようじんぼうbodyguard, bouncer, (security) guard
  • ぶっきら棒ぶっきらぼうcurt, blunt, brusque
  • 相棒あいぼうpartner, pal, accomplice
  • 平行棒へいこうぼうparallel bars
  • 棒高跳びぼうたかとびpole vault
  • 警棒けいぼう(police officer's) baton, truncheon, billy club

Want to actually learn this kanji?

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