看貫

• Reading: かんかん
• Romaji: kankan
• Kanji breakdown: 看 (kan) — watch, observe; 貫 (kan) — pierce, unit of weight
• Pronunciation: /ka.ɴ.ka.ɴ/

Meaning

Weighing; platform scales; a large scale used for measuring heavy objects.

Refers to industrial-grade platform scales or the act of weighing heavy items like trucks or cargo. A somewhat specialized term appearing in logistics, agriculture, and industrial contexts. The word カンカン is also used colloquially to refer to these scales.

Examples

1. トラックが看貫の上に乗って重さを量った。 The truck drove onto the platform scale to be weighed.
2. 工場の入り口に看貫が設置されている。 A platform scale is installed at the factory entrance.
3. 収穫した米を看貫で量ってから出荷する。 The harvested rice is weighed on the platform scale before shipping.

Usage Guide

Context: logistics, agriculture, industry

Tone: technical

Origin & History

Compound of 看 (watch, observe) + 貫 (kan, a traditional unit of weight equal to about 3.75 kg). Originally referred to the process of measuring weight using traditional units.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal