棒
bō[bo̞ː]
The English word 'pole' is translated into Japanese as 棒 (bō). Wiktionary also lists 竿 (sao).
Meaning: long and slender object for construction or support (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 棒 | bō | [bo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 竿 | sao | [kã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
A pole is a long and slender object used for construction or support.
Which one should you use?
棒 is the more general term for a rod, stick or pole used for various construction or support purposes. In contrast, 竿 is specifically used for long, slender poles used for hanging laundry or for fishing rods.
How do you pronounce it?
bō
Did you know?
- The word 棒 is frequently used in the expression 棒に振る, which means to 'squander' or 'waste' something like one's efforts or life.
- The word 棒 is used in the phrase 棒読み, which literally means 'stick reading'. It describes a monotone way of speaking where someone reads a script without any emotion, as if they were a lifeless piece of wood.
- The character for 竿 contains the radical for 'bamboo', reflecting the historical material used to make such poles.
Examples in context
- 彼らは円の中心に棒を立てた。They set up a pole at the center of the circle.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say they set up a pole using 棒.Tatoeba #97507 by arnab, translation #306195 by CM
- 棒のてっぺんには旗が付いていた。There was a flag at the top of the pole.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe a flag at the top of a pole using 棒.Tatoeba #206724 by KK_kaku_, translation #43972 by Dejo
- 竿にシーツを全部干しました。I put all of the sheets to dry on the pole.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say sheets were hung on a pole using 竿.Tatoeba #409162 by Scott, translation #409163 by Scott
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are putting together a small tent in the park.
- 結衣 Yui蓮、この棒をここに差し込んで。Ren, kono bō o koko ni sashikonde.Ren, please insert this pole here.
- 蓮 Renわかった。もう一本棒があるよ。Wakatta. mō ippon bō ga aru yo.Got it. There is one more pole.
- 結衣 Yuiそれをテントの頂上に立てて。Sore o tento no chōjō ni tatete.Set that one up at the top of the tent.
- 蓮 Renよし、これで完成だね。Yoshi, kore de kansei da ne.Alright, it's finished now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pole” translations and entries 棒, 竿, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 棒, 竿, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
