cân
Hanoi [kən˧˧]Huế [kəŋ˧˧]Saigon [kəŋ˧˧] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
cân means weighing instrument; balance; scale.
Meanings of cân in English
Noun
- weighing instrument; balance, scale, etc.
- cán cân công líthe scales of justice
- colloquial kilogram ≈ kí
- cân nặngweight
- nặng cânheavy; formidable
Verb
- to weigh
- cân đo đong đếmto weigh, measure, put in measuring cups, count; to perform exhaustive measurement
- cân nhắcto weigh one's options
- slang to take on multiple opponents at once and defeat them all
Adjective
- of balance or equilibrium
- tam giác cânisosceles triangle
- cân đốiin shape and healthy
Noun
- Central Vietnam, Northern Vietnam North Central Vietnam form of cây (“tree”)
Words with cân
Idioms and sayings with cân
- ngàn cân treo sợi tóc — precarious, on thin ice
Example sentences with cân
- Tom nghĩ Tom bị thừa cân. I think Tom is obese.
- Gần đây tôi tăng cân rồi. I gained weight recently.
- Bạn đang muốn giảm cân à? Are you trying to lose weight?
- Một cân mơ bao nhiêu tiền? How much does a kilo of apricots cost?
- Tập thể dục có thể giúp giảm cân. Exercise can help with weight loss.
- Bạn đang cố giảm cân có đúng không? Are you trying to lose weight?
- Giảm cân không phải một việc dễ dàng. Losing weight isn't easy.
- Tom đang cân nhắn một cách nghiêm túc. Tom is seriously considering that.
Bilingual example sentences from Tatoeba (tatoeba.org, CC BY 2.0 FR).
Etymology
Sino-Vietnamese word from 斤 (“catty”).
Frequently asked questions
What does cân mean in English?
cân (noun) means "weighing instrument; balance; scale".
How do you pronounce cân?
IPA: Hanoi [kən˧˧]; Saigon [kəŋ˧˧]. Tones: cân — level tone (ngang).
Is cân a Sino-Vietnamese word?
Yes. cân is a Sino-Vietnamese word from the Chinese characters 斤.
What classifier is used with cân?
Common classifiers: cái, chiếc — for example "một cái cân" (one weighing instrument).