缶

• Reading: かん
• Romaji: kan
• Kanji breakdown: 缶 (kan) — can, tin, container
• Pronunciation: /ka.n/

Meaning

Can; tin. A sealed metal container used for storing food, beverages, or other goods.

A noun referring to metal containers, particularly for beverages (缶ビール — canned beer, 缶コーヒー — canned coffee) and preserved food (缶詰 — canned goods). Japan has an extensive culture of vending machine canned drinks. Also used as a counter for cans in some contexts.

Examples

1. 缶コーヒーを自販機で買った。 I bought a canned coffee from the vending machine.
2. 空き缶はリサイクルに出してください。 Please put your empty cans in the recycling.
3. 非常食として缶詰を備えている。 I keep canned food stocked for emergencies.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, shopping, recycling

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 缶 originally depicted a clay vessel. The modern meaning of a metal container was adopted when Western tinned goods were introduced to Japan in the Meiji era.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal