Translation guide
A carrying pole is a long stick or pole used to carry loads across the shoulders, often with baskets or bundles suspended from each end. In Japanese, the most common term is 天秤棒 (てんびんぼう), but other words exist depending on context.
A pole balanced on one shoulder with loads hanging from both ends, used by laborers or in traditional settings.
The standard word for a carrying pole, especially one used by street vendors or laborers. Literally 'balance pole'.
彼は天秤棒で桶を担いでいた。
He was carrying buckets with a carrying pole.
A general term for a pole used for carrying things on the shoulder. Less specific than 天秤棒.
担ぎ棒を使って荷物を運んだ。
I carried the luggage using a carrying pole.
A less common variant of 天秤棒, sometimes used in specific contexts or regions.
昔の商人は棒天秤をよく使った。
Merchants in the old days often used carrying poles.
A pole used by two people to carry a heavy load suspended in the middle, such as a wild boar or large object.
Specifically a pole for a stretcher or for carrying something between two people. Often used in contexts like carrying a wild boar after hunting.
猟師たちは担架棒で猪を運んだ。
The hunters carried the wild boar on a pole between them.
A verb phrase meaning 'to carry on a pole (between two people)'. Can be used generically.
大きな荷物を棒で担いで運んだ。
We carried the large load on a pole between us.
A pole used by specific vendors, such as tofu sellers or goldfish sellers, often with distinctive calls or containers.
Still the most common term, but often associated with traditional street vendors like 豆腐屋 (tofu seller) or 金魚売り (goldfish seller).
豆腐屋が天秤棒を担いで「とうふー」と叫んだ。
The tofu seller carried a carrying pole and called out 'tofu!'.
The literal translation '運ぶ棒' (carrying stick) is not a natural Japanese term. Use 天秤棒 or other specific words depending on the context.
Carrying poles are strongly associated with traditional street vendors and laborers in historical Japan. In modern contexts, you might need to explain the concept if it's unfamiliar.