Chinese Character: 竿
1. Character Basics
Radical: ⺮ (竹 - zhú - bamboo radical)
Stroke Count: 9
Stroke Order:
Structure: This is a形声字 (xíngshēngzì - phonetic-semantic character) composed of ⺮ (bamboo) as the semantic component and 干 (gān) as the phonetic component. The bamboo radical indicates that it is related to bamboo objects, specifically bamboo poles or rods.
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Gān (first tone)
Tone: First tone (high level)
3. Meaning
Core Meaning: "bamboo pole" or "rod" (a long, thin object made of bamboo)
Main Meanings:
- A long, thin pole made of bamboo
- Any long, thin rod or pole, regardless of material
- In traditional contexts: fishing rod, flagpole, or other long implements
4. Common Words
- 竹竿 (zhú gān): bamboo pole
他用竹竿挑起了窗帘。(Tā yòng zhú gān tiāo qǐ le chuāng lián.) - He lifted the curtain with a bamboo pole.
- 钓竿 (diào gān): fishing rod
爷爷带着钓竿去河边钓鱼。(Yé ye dài zhe diào gān qù hé biān diào yú.) - Grandpa took his fishing rod to the river to fish.
- 立竿见影 (lì gān jiàn yǐng): to see the shadow as soon as the pole is erected (idiom); immediate effect
这个方法立竿见影，问题很快就解决了。(Zhè ge fāng fǎ lì gān jiàn yǐng, wèn tí hěn kuài jiù jiě jué le.) - This method had an immediate effect, and the problem was quickly solved.
- 竿子 (gān zi): pole; rod
他用竿子把风筝挑起来。(Tā yòng gān zi bǎ fēng zhēng tiāo qǐ lái.) - He used a pole to lift the kite.
- 滑竿 (huá gān): sedan chair carried on bamboo poles
在山区，人们有时候会坐滑竿。(Zài shān qū, rén men yǒu shí hou huì zuò huá gān.) - In mountainous areas, people sometimes ride in sedan chairs carried on bamboo poles.
5. Grammar & Usage
As a noun:
- Used to refer to long, thin poles, especially bamboo ones: 竹竿 (zhú gān) - bamboo pole
- Often used with classifiers: 一根竿 (yī gēn gān) - a pole
In compound words:
- Many compound words use 竿 to indicate objects with a long, thin shape made of bamboo or similar materials
- Examples: 钓竿 (diào gān) - fishing rod; 帆竿 (fān gān) - mast
In idioms:
- 立竿见影 (lì gān jiàn yǐng) - to see the shadow as soon as the pole is erected; immediate effect
- 竿头日上 (gān tóu rì shàng) - making progress every day; constantly improving
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, the character 竿 has been important for thousands of years due to the significance of bamboo in Chinese society. Bamboo poles have been used for various purposes, including construction, transportation, agriculture, and daily life tools.
The idiom 立竿见影 (lì gān jiàn yǐng) reflects the practical observation of how a pole casts a shadow immediately when placed in sunlight, and is used metaphorically to describe something that produces immediate results. This shows how everyday objects influence Chinese language and thought.
Bamboo itself is highly regarded in Chinese culture for its strength, flexibility, and resilience, which are seen as noble qualities. The character 竿, being associated with bamboo, carries some of these cultural connotations as well.
7. Example Sentence
English: He used a bamboo pole to pick the fruit from the tree.
Chinese: 他用竹竿从树上摘水果。
Pinyin: Tā yòng zhú gān cóng shù shàng zhāi shuǐ guǒ.
English: This method will produce immediate results.
Chinese: 这个方法会立竿见影。
Pinyin: Zhè ge fāng fǎ huì lì gān jiàn yǐng.
English: He bought a new fishing rod for his fishing trip.
Chinese: 他为钓鱼之旅买了一根新钓竿。
Pinyin: Tā wèi diào yú zhī lǚ mǎi le yī gēn xīn diào gān.
8. Memory Tips
1. Radial Association: Remember that the top part is ⺮ (zhú - bamboo radical), which tells us that 竿 is related to bamboo objects, specifically long, thin ones.
2. Phonetic Component: The bottom part is 干 (gān), which gives a hint about the pronunciation.
3. Stroke Order: Remember the nine-stroke order: start with the bamboo radical (撇, 横, 点, 撇, 横, 点) followed by the 干 component (横, 横, 竖). Practice writing it several times to memorize.
4. Common Objects: Associate the character with common objects like bamboo poles (竹竿), fishing rods (钓竿), and the idiom 立竿见影 (to see immediate results) to remember its meaning and usage.