noun
Uncommon
kan
kahn
Kan (noun) means a traditional Japanese unit of weight equal to roughly 3.75 kilograms (about 8.27 lb). Example: “Old Japanese scales were often calibrated in kan rather than kilograms.”
noun
1
A traditional Japanese unit of weight equal to roughly 3.75 kilograms (about 8.27 lb).
"Old Japanese scales were often calibrated in kan rather than kilograms."
2
In mahjong, a set of four identical tiles, or the call made to declare one.
"She called kan after drawing the fourth matching tile."
How to use kan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA Japanese weight measurement, or (in mahjong) a set of four matching tiles.
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Word forms
- Plural
- kans
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Old Japanese scales were often calibrated in _____ rather than kilograms.
Etymology
From Japanese kan, a traditional unit of weight.
Frequently asked questions
What does “kan” mean?
The word “kan” means a traditional Japanese unit of weight equal to roughly 3.75 kilograms (about 8.27 lb). In plain terms, a Japanese weight measurement, or (in mahjong) a set of four matching tiles.
How do you pronounce “kan”?
“Kan” is pronounced kahn (/kɑːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “kan” in a sentence?
Here is “kan” used in a sentence: “Old Japanese scales were often calibrated in kan rather than kilograms.”
What part of speech is “kan”?
“Kan” is a noun.
Where does the word “kan” come from?
The word “kan” comes from Japanese. From Japanese kan, a traditional unit of weight.
Is “kan” a common word?
“Kan” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “kan” have?
“Kan” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a traditional Japanese unit of weight equal to roughly 3.75 kilograms (about 8.27 lb).
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