Definition
杆 (gǎn) is a classifier for long, rod-like objects that are often functional or man-made (guns, fishing rods, flagpoles). As a noun, it means a rigid pole or lever. Unlike 根 (gēn) for slender natural objects (sticks, ropes) or 枝 (zhī) for thin branch-like items (pens, flowers), 杆 implies a sturdier, purpose-built shape.
noun
a stickpoleor lever
classifier
for longrod-like objects such as gunsfishing rodsand flagpoles
Easily confused
- 肝gānlook-alikeliver (organ)
- 干gànsound-aliketo do, to work, to manage (a task)
- 汗hànlook-alikesweat, perspiration
- 干gānsound-alikedry (adjective)
- 秤chènglook-alikesteelyard; Chinese scale (a balance with a beam and sliding weight)
- 敢gǎnsound-aliketo dare, to be bold enough to (do something)
- 感gǎnsound-alike(suffix) sense of ∼; feeling of ∼ (forms abstract nouns)
- 赶gǎnsound-aliketo catch (a vehicle, event), to make it in time for
Examples
- 杆，。Zhè gēn gǎn hěn zhòng, wǒ ná bú dòng.This pole is very heavy; I can't carry it.
- 杆。Tā shǒu lǐ ná zhe yì gǎn qiāng.He is holding a gun in his hand.
- 杆。Tā yòng yì gǎn chèng chēng le yí xià.He weighed it with a steelyard.
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