缶 means “can, tin”

かん · kan

Also: tin can, container, jar radical (no. 121)

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

かま

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

カン

JLPT N2 · Taught in secondary school · 6 strokes

The story

A lidded clay jar, drawn as a picture, now used for metal cans. 缶コーヒー fills the vending machines on Japan's street corners, sold hot in winter and cold in summer, and 缶詰 is canned food.

Used in 缶詰 (kanzume, canned food), 空き缶 (akikan, empty can), and 缶切り (kankiri, can opener)

More from Kitchen & Chores

• 濯 wash
• 沸 boil
• 菓 sweets
• 燥 dry
• 濃 thick
• 液 liquid
• 掃 sweep
• 喫 drink
• 干 dry
• 湯 hot water
• 溶 dissolve
• 塗 paint

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.