极 jí — extremely; pole (geography; physics); utmost; top
今天的风景美极了。Jīn tiān de fēng jǐng měi jí le.The scenery today is extremely beautiful.
Common words: 极了 (jí le)、积极 (jī jí)、积极性 (jī jí xìng)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "pole"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "pole", including 极 (jí), 杆 (gān / gǎn), 杆 (gān / gǎn). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "pole" covers 3 different Chinese characters — 极 (jí), 杆 (gān / gǎn), 杆 (gān / gǎn) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 3 characters do not share a sound — their readings span jí, gān, gǎn — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 极 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 极 jíextremely; pole (geography; physics); utmost; topUseful words: 极了, 积极
- 杆 gān / gǎnpole; measure for guns; stick; poleUseful words: 杠杆, 栏杆
- 杆 gān / gǎnpole; measure for guns; stick; poleUseful words: 杠杆, 栏杆
Common words for these 3 "pole" characters
Anchor each of these 3 characters in a word you can picture — start with 极 (jí) — so "pole" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
极了jí leextremely; exceedingly积极jī jíactive; energetic; vigorous; positive (outlook)积极性jī jí xìngzeal; initiative; enthusiasm; activity杠杆gàng gǎnlever; pry bar; crowbar; financial leverage栏杆lán gānrailing; banister上杆shàng gānbackswing (golf)杠杆gàng gǎnlever; pry bar; crowbar; financial leverage栏杆lán gānrailing; banister上杆shàng gānbackswing (golf)
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 3 ways to say "pole".
杆 gān / gǎn — pole; measure for guns; stick; pole
升旗的时候，国旗沿着旗杆缓缓升起。Shēng qí de shí hou, guó qí yán zhe qí gān huǎn huǎn shēng qǐ.During the flag-raising, the flag slowly rises along the flagpole.
Common words: 杠杆 (gàng gǎn)、栏杆 (lán gān)、上杆 (shàng gān)
杆 gān / gǎn — pole; measure for guns; stick; pole
升旗的时候，国旗沿着旗杆缓缓升起。Shēng qí de shí hou, guó qí yán zhe qí gān huǎn huǎn shēng qǐ.During the flag-raising, the flag slowly rises along the flagpole.
Common words: 杠杆 (gàng gǎn)、栏杆 (lán gān)、上杆 (shàng gān)
All 3 characters
Open 极、杆、杆 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.