gon1桿杆
Jyutpinggon1
Yalegōn
Definition
A pole, rod, or shaft; any long, thin, bar-shaped object.
neutralother
How it's used
Used primarily for long, rigid, cylindrical objects, often made of wood, metal, or bamboo. While it refers to the physical object, it frequently appears in compound nouns related to tools or equipment. It is distinct from 棍, which usually implies a shorter, thicker stick or club used for striking or support.
Measure word
zi1支jīExamples
This pole is so long, how are we going to carry it inside?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 桿 with 棍. Use 桿 for structural or functional poles like fishing poles or flagpoles, whereas 棍 is more appropriate for a generic stick, a walking cane, or a weapon.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
