钓竿 (diào gān) — fishing rod | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

fishing rod

Measure word · 根

Easily confused

吊杆diào gānsound-alikecrane boom; jib (projecting arm of a crane or hoist)

Examples

钓竿。
Tā ná zhe diào gān zuò zài hé biān.
He sat by the river holding a fishing rod.
钓竿，。
Zhè gēn diào gān hěn qīng, yòng qǐ lái hěn fāng biàn.
This fishing rod is very light and easy to use.
钓竿。
Yé ye de diào gān yǐ jīng yòng le èr shí nián.
Grandpa's fishing rod has been used for twenty years.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

钓diàoto fish

钓 means to fish and 竿 means rod, giving a rod used for fishing.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 釣; 钓 is its simplified writing.

金勺釣

Meaning part形符xíngfú

金金jīnmetal

Sound part声符shēngfú

勺

勺sháo釣diào

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 釣 uses 金 for metal and 勺 for its sound; the simplified 钓 is a later shorthand.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

竹干竿

Meaning part形符xíngfú

竹竹zhúbamboo

Sound part声符shēngfú

干

干gān竿gān

Same sound today

竿 uses 竹, bamboo, to mark the material, with 干 giving the sound.

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