Inklingo
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A polished wooden walking stick with a curved handle standing upright.

bastón

bas-TOHN

nounmA2
walking stick?mobility support
Also:cane?medical or decorative,baton?relay races or music

📝 In Action

Mi abuelo camina con un bastón de madera.

A1

My grandfather walks with a wooden walking stick.

Los excursionistas usaron bastones para subir la montaña.

A2

The hikers used trekking poles to climb the mountain.

El director de orquesta mueve su bastón con elegancia.

B1

The conductor moves his baton with elegance.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • vara (rod/stick)
  • báculo (staff (usually religious))

Common Collocations

  • bastón de mando – staff of office/authority
  • bastón de caramelo – candy cane

Idioms & Expressions

  • ser el bastón de alguien – To be someone's main support or help

💡 Grammar Points

The Vanishing Accent

When you make this word plural, the written accent on the 'o' disappears: 'un bastón' becomes 'dos bastones'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Cane vs. Sugar Cane

Mistake: "Using 'bastón' for the plant."

Correction: Use 'caña' for the plant (sugar cane) and 'bastón' for the object you hold.

⭐ Usage Tips

More than just walking

In sports, specifically skiing, 'bastones' is the standard word for ski poles.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: bastón

Question 1 of 1

What happens to the accent when you say 'the walking sticks'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

bastonazo(a blow with a stick) - noun
bastonear(to beat with a stick) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'bastón' used for a conductor's baton?

Yes, although 'batuta' is a more specific and common word for a musical baton, 'bastón' can be used in general contexts.

How do you say 'candy cane' in Spanish?

It is called a 'bastón de caramelo'.