烟枪 (yānqiāng): opium pipe

Measure Word

一杆烟枪 gǎn

The pipe's long shape resembles a spear or gun barrel, hence 枪.

博物馆里展出了清代的烟枪。

Bówùguǎn lǐ zhǎnchū le Qīng dài de yānqiāng.

The museum exhibited opium pipes from the Qing Dynasty.

他是个老烟枪，一天抽两包烟。

Tā shì gè lǎo yānqiāng, yī tiān chōu liǎng bāo yān.

He's a heavy smoker — two packs a day.

history

The opium pipe (烟枪) is closely associated with the Opium Wars era in Chinese history. 老烟枪 is now colloquially used for any chain smoker.

烟 yān

枪 qiāng