Meaning Index
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "stick", including 折 (zhé / shé), 杆 (gān / gǎn), 棍 (gùn). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms…
The English word "stick" covers 3 different Chinese characters — 折 (zhé / shé), 杆 (gān / gǎn), 棍 (gùn) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 3 characters do not share a sound — their readings span zhé, shé, gān, gǎn, gùn — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 折 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
Anchor each of these 3 characters in a word you can picture — start with 折 (zhé / shé) — so "stick" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
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 "stick".
他把信纸对折了一下，放进信封。Tā bǎ xìn zhǐ duì zhé le yí xià, fàng jìn xìn fēng.He folded the letter paper and put it into the envelope.
Common words: 打折 (dǎ zhé)、折扣 (zhé kòu)、折磨 (zhé mó)
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)
他捡起一根木棍，在地上画了起来。Tā jiǎn qǐ yì gēn mù gùn, zài dì shàng huà le qǐ lái.He picked up a wooden stick and began drawing on the ground.
Common words: 棍棒 (gùn bàng)、棍子 (gùn zi)、冰棍儿 (bīng gùn r)
Open 折、杆、棍 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.