bastón
/basˈton/masculine
The Spanish word for cane is bastón. Wiktionary also lists bastón blanco.
Meaning: long collapsible rod used by vision impaired people (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bastón | /basˈton/ | masculine |
| bastón blanco | /baston blanko/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The word bastón is a masculine noun. When specifically referring to the long, collapsible rod used by people with visual impairments, the technical term bastón blanco is used.
Which one should you use?
While bastón can refer to a walking stick for any person, bastón blanco specifically refers to the white cane used by people with visual impairments.
How do you pronounce it?
/basˈton/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use caña to refer to a walking cane or mobility aid. In Spanish, caña refers to a reed or a cane plant.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the bastón de mando is a ceremonial staff symbolizing authority or leadership in indigenous communities.
- In some contexts, the term bastón can refer to a confectionery stick or a candy cane, such as the bastón de Navidad.
- The word bastón is a direct cognate of the English word 'baton', which is used to describe a conductor's stick or a ceremonial staff.
Examples in context
- Se apoya en un bastón.He's leaning on a cane.This sentence shows how someone uses a cane for support.Tatoeba #2258628 by cueyayotl, translation #2258627 by _undertoad
- ¿Dónde está mi bastón?Where's my cane?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of a cane.Tatoeba #2857733 by Besatnias, translation #2254631 by CK
- Tom se apoyó en su bastón.Tom leaned on his cane.This sentence demonstrates the action of leaning on a cane.Tatoeba #5000489 by albrusgher, translation #4795905 by CK
- El anciano utilizaba un bastón para caminarThe elderly man used a walking cane
- El guardia tenía un garrote en la manoThe guard had a cane in his hand
- Me compré un bastón nuevo para ayudarme a caminarI bought a new walking cane to help me walk
- Llevo un bastón para ayudarme a mantener el equilibrio mientras camino por la ciudadI carry a walking cane to help me maintain balance while walking in the city
- Juan siempre lleva su caña de pescar cuando sale al ríoJuan always takes his fishing rod when he goes to the river
- El abuelo tallaba figuras en madera usando su bastón como herramientaThe grandfather carved wooden figures using his walking cane as a tool
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are walking toward a store.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿viste dónde dejé mi bastón?Daniel, did you see where I left my cane?
- DanielEstá apoyado contra la pared, Lucía.It is leaning against the wall, Lucía.
- LucíaGracias, necesito mi bastón para caminar.Thanks, I need my cane to walk.
- DanielAquí tienes, toma tu bastón.Here you go, take your cane.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cane” translations and entries bastón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bastón, blanco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
