竿・棹|さおsao[2]odaka (tail-high)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Which spelling to use
竿竿 is the more common written form and the recommended choice for beginners. It is written with kanji only.
棹棹 is a less common written variant of 竿. It is also written with kanji only, but beginners should generally prefer 竿.
Definitions
  1. nounrod; pole
  2. nounneck (of a shamisen, etc.); shamisenesp. 棹
  3. nounbeam (i.e. the crossbar of a balance)
  4. nounsingle line (esp. as a flying formation for geese)
  5. nounpenis
  6. countercounter for flags (on poles); counter for long, thin Japanese sweets (e.g. yōkan)
Synonyms & antonyms
  • SynonymポールNeutralA loanword for flagpoles, pole-vaulting poles and upright posts; also a unit of length. 「竿」 mostly means fishing rods, laundry poles and punting poles.
  • Related棒ぼうNeutralAny slender stick or rod, of any thickness or length; also a drawn line. 「竿」 covers slender poles like fishing rods, laundry poles and punting poles.

Use 「竿」 for fishing rods, laundry poles and punting poles; 「棒」 for sticks and rods in general; 「ポール」 for flagpoles and upright posts.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. (さお)枝葉えだはを取り去とりさって作つくられた竹たけの細長ほそながい棒ぼう。cf.竿さお。
  2. (さお)舟ふねをこぐ道具どうぐで岸辺きしべや水底すいていに突っ張つっぱって舟ふねを進すすませる長ながい棒ぼう。
  3. (さお)三味線しゃみせんの同どうから上うえの、弦げんを張はった長ながい部分ぶぶん。転てんじて、三味線しゃみせん。
  4. (さお)箪笥(たんす)たんす・長持(ながもち)ながもちなどにさしてかつぐ棒ぼう。
  5. (さお)箪笥たんす・長持ながもちなどを数かぞえるのに用もちいる助数詞じょすうし。
  6. (さお)羊羹(ようかん)ようかん・洲浜(すはま)すはまなどの棹さお物もの菓子かしを数かぞえるのに用もちいる助数詞じょすうし。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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