棒
bō[bo̞ː]
In Japanese, the word for stick is 棒 (bō). Wiktionary also lists 枝 (eda).
Meaning: long piece of wood (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 棒 | bō | [bo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 枝 | eda | [e̞da̠] (narrow) |
棒 is the most general term for a stick and can also imply a more substantial rod or pole used as a tool or weapon. If you are referring to a small, broken-off or discarded piece of a stick, you can use 棒切れ.
Which one should you use?
Use 枝 specifically for a branch or twig that is part of a tree or plant, whereas 棒 refers to a manufactured or general-purpose rod or stick.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
bō
Did you know?
- The word 棒 is used in the term 棒読み, which literally means 'stick reading' and describes a monotone or robotic way of speaking.
- The word 棒 can be used in the phrase 棒に振る, which means to waste an effort or let a great opportunity go to waste.
- In Japanese martial arts, the term for a staff or long stick is simply 棒, which is where the English term 'Bo staff' originates.
Examples in context
- 彼は犬を棒でたたいた。He beat the dog with a stick.This sentence shows how to use 棒 to describe an action involving a stick.Tatoeba #107705 by bunbuku, translation #295980 by CK
- 学校に本や紙や鉛筆がないのを知ると、彼女は棒きれで地面にアルファベットを書いた。When the school had no books or paper or pencils, she wrote the alphabet on the ground with a stick.This sentence uses 棒 to describe writing on the ground with a stick.Tatoeba #184450 by bunbuku, translation #21578 by Zifre
- 彼はその棒切れを狩猟ナイフで削り尖らせた。He whittled the stick to a sharp point with his hunting knife.This sentence uses 棒 in the form 棒切れ to refer to a piece of wood being whittled.Tatoeba #2749654 by birdie, translation #678272 by darinmex
- 彼は棒を持って山を登っています。He is climbing the mountain with a stick.
- 祖父はつえを使って歩いています。My grandfather is walking with a cane.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are walking in a park near a forest.
- 健太 Kentaあそこに長い棒が落ちているよ。Asoko ni nagai bou ga ochite iru yo.There is a long stick lying over there.
- 美咲 Misaki本当だ。本当に大きな棒だね。Hontou da. Hontou ni ookina bou da ne.You're right. It really is a big stick.
- 健太 Kenta美咲、それでボールを叩いてみて。Misaki, sore de booru o tataite mite.Misaki, try hitting the ball with it.
- 美咲 Misakiちょっと重すぎて無理だよ。Chotto omosugite muri da yo.It's a little too heavy, I can't do it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stick” translations and entries 棒, 枝, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
