Translation guide
The English word 'cane' can refer to a walking stick, a material (like rattan), a punishment tool, or a plant stem. This guide covers the most common Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
A stick used to assist walking, especially by elderly or injured people.
General term for a walking stick or cane. Can be used for both medical and fashion purposes.
My grandfather walks with a cane.
彼は怪我をしてから杖が必要になった。
He needed a cane after his injury.
Often implies a fashionable or dress cane, not necessarily for medical use. Can also refer to a walking stick used for hiking.
彼はスーツに合わせてステッキを持っている。
He carries a cane to match his suit.
Hiragana form of 杖, used in casual writing or for children.
おじいちゃんはつえがないと歩けない。
Grandpa can't walk without his cane.
The material from plants like rattan or bamboo, used for making furniture or baskets.
Specifically rattan, a type of climbing palm used for furniture and baskets.
この椅子は籐でできている。
This chair is made of cane.
Bamboo, often used similarly to cane in construction and crafts. Note: 'cane' in English sometimes refers to bamboo products.
竹かごを編む。
Weave a bamboo basket.
A stick used for hitting as punishment, especially in school settings.
General term for a whip or rod used for punishment. Can be used for caning.
昔の学校ではむちで打たれることがあった。
In old schools, students were sometimes caned.
Kanji form of むち, more formal or literary.
鞭打ちの刑。
Punishment by caning.
Corporal punishment in general, not specifically a cane. Often used in educational contexts.
The long, jointed stem of plants like sugar cane or bamboo.
General term for plant stem. Can be used for sugar cane stems.
サトウキビの茎をかじる。
Chew on a sugar cane stalk.
Sugar cane as a plant. Often used to refer to the whole plant, not just the stem.
杖 (つえ) is the general term for a walking cane, often medical. ステッキ implies a fashionable or dress cane. Using ステッキ for a medical cane may sound odd.
病院で杖を借りた。
I borrowed a cane at the hospital.
体罰は禁止されている。
Corporal punishment is prohibited.
サトウキビ畑。
Sugar cane field.