竿・棹|さおsao[2]odaka (tail-high)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
- nounrod; pole
- nounneck (of a shamisen, etc.); shamisenesp. 棹
- nounbeam (i.e. the crossbar of a balance)
- nounsingle line (esp. as a flying formation for geese)
- nounpenis
- countercounter for flags (on poles); counter for long, thin Japanese sweets (e.g. yōkan)
- 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


