Meet 缶 in everyday words for containers and their contents. Learn each reading together with the whole word.
The idea
缶 has 6 strokes and is read かん in these words. 缶詰（かんづめ） means canned food; 缶切り（かんきり） is a can opener. Follow the linked stroke-order diagram.
Examples
- 缶コーヒーを一つ買いました。I bought a can of coffee.
- その缶を開けてください。Please open the can.
- 棚に桃の缶詰があります。There are canned peaches on the shelf.
- 空き缶をこの箱に入れてください。Please put empty cans in this box.
- 父は缶ビールを飲みます。My father drinks canned beer.
- 缶切りで缶を開けました。I opened the can with a can opener.
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Watch out
缶 names a can, while 缶詰 refers to food packed in one. In 缶詰, 詰 is read づめ, not つめ.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 缶詰 in hiragana.
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かんづめ
缶詰 is かんづめ: 詰 changes to づめ in this compound. It can refer to canned peaches.
Write the reading of 空き缶 in hiragana.
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あきかん
空き缶 is あきかん, an empty can. 空き describes its empty state.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿切り（かんきり）［缶／間］.
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缶
缶 completes 缶切り（かんきり）, a tool for opening cans.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 缶詰 in hiragana.
Write the reading of 空き缶 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿切り（かんきり）［缶／間］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 缶 using the diagram, then cover the readings and say 缶詰 and 空き缶 aloud. Make a sentence with one word.