Chinese

Noun

手杖 (classifiers 個／个 (gè), 跟 (gēn), 把 (bǎ))

1. (literally) any kind of long or short rod with a handle; a cane
2. (by extension) walking stick

Synonyms

• 拐棍 (guǎigùn) (alternative forms: 柺棍, 枴棍 (guǎigùn))
• 拐杖 (guǎizhàng) (alternative forms: 柺杖, 枴杖 (guǎizhàng))
• 青藜 (qīnglí) (archaic)

Usage notes

• In Mandarin, 拐杖 (guǎizhàng) is the most commonly used term for walking stick. By contrast, 手杖 (shǒuzhàng)can be used to describe a cane that has other uses, such as hiking or scaring away wild snakes.