(guàn) — can, jar, pot (container)

Definition

罐 is a container noun meaning 'can, jar, or pot' — 罐子 is the common spoken form. Use 锅 for cookware with a handle, 壶 for a kettle/teapot, 桶 for a bucket or trash bin.

noun
canjarpot (container)
Measure word ·

Examples

  • Wǒ bǎ kōng guàn rēng le.
    I threw away the empty can.
  • Qǐng xiǎo xīn dǎ kāi nà ge guàn, yǐ miǎn shòu shāng.
    Please carefully open that jar to avoid injury.
  • Chú fáng lǐ de guàn zi zhuāng mǎn le tiáo liào.
    The jars in the kitchen are filled with seasonings.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
fǒupottery
Sound part声符shēngfú
guànguàn(r)
Same sound today

The left part 缶 shows pottery, while the right part 雚 gives the pronunciation.

Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.