棍 gùn stick
stick; cudgel; scoundrel; rod
How to remember 棍: 木 tree + 昆 elder brother = stick. From the oak tree his elder brother snaps off a branch, and the geese flee from his brand new stick.
Component breakdown
棍 = 木 tree + 昆 elder brother
- 木 tree
- 昆 elder brother
From the oak tree his elder brother snaps off a branch, and the geese flee from his brand new stick.
How it is used
- A stick/rod/cudgel - 木棍 (mùgùn) a wooden stick, 棍子 (gùnzi) a stick/club.
- 冰棍儿 (bīnggùnr) = a popsicle/ice lolly (the northern colloquial term).
- Second sense: a scoundrel/bad type - 恶棍 (ègùn) a ruffian, 赌棍 a hardened gambler.
- 打狗棍 = a stick to beat off dogs; the pejorative 'X棍' labels someone a rogue of that kind.