Kan
/kæn/noun
A traditional Japanese unit of weight, approximately 3.75 kilograms.
Did you know?The kan was traditionally associated with the weight of 1,000 monme, linking it to historical Japanese systems of silver, coinage, and trade.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Chinese
貫 (guàn)
“A string or unit of one thousand cash coins; later a unit of weight”
Classical Chinese
Chinese
貫
“A standardized measure connected with counted coinage and weight”
Medieval Japan
Japanese
貫 (kan)
“A unit of weight used in Japanese measurement and commerce”
Edo Period
Japanese
貫目 (kanme)
“A weight measure, commonly reckoned as about 3.75 kilograms”
Modern English
English
kan
“A Japanese unit of weight, approximately 3.75 kilograms”