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Kotomora

竿

pole, rod, scale beam, violin neck

StatusJinmeiyōFrequencyTop 5,000Strokes9

Readings

On'yomi

  • カン

Kun'yomi

  • さお

Meaning

竿 centers on a long, slender, rigid object used for support, measurement, or as a structural part: a pole, rod, scale beam, or the neck of a violin.

Most common words using 竿

20 of 21
  • 竿さお
    N1

    rod; pole

  • 釣竿つりざお

    fishing rod

  • 旗竿はたざお

    flagstaff; flagpole

  • のべ竿のべざお

    fishing rod with the line connected to the tip (i.e. without a reel or guides)

  • 一竿いっかん

    one pole (esp. used for fishing poles); one rod

  • 三竿さんかん

    broad daylight

  • 殻竿からざお

    flail (for threshing grain)

  • 物干し竿ものほしざお

    pole on which to hang laundry for drying; clothesline

  • 百尺竿頭ひゃくせきかんとう

    the highest state of one's enlightenment; the highest level one can attain

  • 秋田竿燈まつりあきたかんとうまつり

    Akita Kantō Festival (3-6 August)

  • 竹竿たけざお

    bamboo pole

  • 竿かん

    counter for poles, rods, etc.

  • 竿姉妹さおしまい

    women who have had sex with the same man; pole sisters

  • 竿役さおやく

    character in erotica with a mainly penetrative role

  • 竿燈かんとう

    Kanto Festival (Akita)

  • 竿秤さおばかり

    beam balance; steelyard

  • 竿頭かんとう

    top of a pole

  • 継ぎ竿つぎざお

    a jointed fishing rod

  • 肉竿にくざお

    penis; cock

  • 鳥刺し竿とりさしざお

    birdlime-covered pole

Explore all words using 竿 →

Study

Etymology

竿 combines 竹 (bamboo) and 干 (a pictograph of a shield or a pestle, here likely contributing the sound). Bamboo poles are a common source for rods and beams.

Meaning mnemonic

Bamboo 竹 is used to make a sturdy pole 干: imagine a bamboo rod used as a scale beam or the neck of a violin.

Reading mnemonic

For カン, picture a can of bamboo poles: can -> カン, and you pull out a long rod.