gong1杠
Jyutpinggong1
Yalegōng
Definition
A bar, pole, lever, or rod used for support, prying, or athletics.
- a bar, rod, or pole, such as a gymnastics bar or flagpole
- a lever or crowbar used for prying
neutraldaily actionssports
How it's used
Refers specifically to a rigid, usually metal, rod or pole used for leverage or as a piece of sports equipment. While it can mean a flagpole in formal contexts, everyday usage is heavily skewed towards tools like crowbars or gym apparatus. It is distinct from 棍, which is a more generic term for a stick or staff.
Measure word
zi1支jīExamples
He took the crowbar to pry open the wooden box.
The gymnast is performing on the bar.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 槓, which is the standard character for the verb meaning to argue or to cross out. While they share the same pronunciation, 杠 is specifically the physical object, whereas 槓 is used for abstract actions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
