杖つえ

つ

え

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

A stick used for support when walking, or a rod-like object carried as a symbol or tool. Can also refer to a magic wand in fantasy contexts.

祖そ父ふは杖つえをついて歩あるいている。

My grandfather walks with a cane.

魔ま法ほう使つかいが杖つえを振ふると、光ひかりが現あらわれた。

When the wizard waved his wand, a light appeared.

Usage patterns

杖つえに寄よりかかるto lean on a cane
おじいさんは杖つえに寄よりかかって立たち上あがった。
The old man leaned on his cane and stood up.
〈物もの〉を杖つえ代がわりにするto use something as a makeshift cane
枝えだを杖つえ代がわりにして山やま道みちを歩あるいた。
I used a branch as a makeshift cane to walk along the mountain path.

Expressions

杖つえをつくwalk with a cane; use a walking stick
杖つえを携たずさえるcarry a cane; walk with a cane
頬ほお杖づえをつくrest one's chin in one's hands
転ころばぬ先さきの杖つえprevention is better than cure; a stitch in time saves nine; look before you leap
杖つえとも柱はしらとも頼たのむto lean entirely on someone; to count on someone as one's sole support
杖つえに縋すがるとも人ひとに縋すがるなlean on your cane, not on others

Kanji

杖staff, cane

Related words

ステッキ
ステッキ refers to a stylish Western-style walking stick often used for fashion, while 杖 is the broader term covering support canes, staffs, and symbolic rods.
ムチ
杖 is a stick used for walking support or leaning on, while 鞭 (in its cane sense) is a rigid stick used for pointing or punishment.

Don't confuse with

杭くい
杖 is a stick used for walking support, whereas 杭 is a stake driven into the ground to mark or secure something.

Counted with

本ほんN5
book; volume; script · this; present; current; in question · main; head; principal · real; genuine; regular; proper · counter for long cylindrical objects; counter for films, TV shows, etc.; counter for goals, home runs, etc.; counter for telephone calls

Word family· 16

松まつ葉ば杖づえ
crutch; crutches
頬ほお杖づえ
resting one's chin in one's hands · brace; angle brace
そば杖づえ
blow received by a bystander; getting dragged into someone else's fight
卯

Written forms

杖つえUsage95%
Standard kanji spelling for a cane, walking stick, or staff.
つえUsage4%
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the kanji is not needed.
ツエUsage1%

Etymology

The kanji 杖 is composed of 木 (tree, wood) and 丈 (length, measure), suggesting a wooden stick of a certain length. The reading つえ is a native Japanese word.

う

杖づえ

tree branch used as a charm against evil

方ほう杖づえ

brace; angle brace

Show 7 more

杖つえ柱はしら
mainstay; pillar of support; person one relies on
杖つえ状じょう
staff-shaped; cane-shaped
粥かゆ杖づえ
gruel stick; wand used in New Year gruel ritual
鹿杖かせづえ
forked stick
撞しゅ木もく杖づえ
crutches
竹たけの杖つえ
bamboo rod; bamboo stick; bamboo pole
金こん剛ごう杖づえ
pilgrim's staff

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