Entry
かん
kan
A clear, single metallic chiming or dinging sound.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Represents a sharp, clear, and single metallic sound, such as the ding of a small bell, the strike of a small gong, or a sharp clink when hard metal objects collide.
- Clear ding of a small bell or gong
- Sharp clink of metal striking metal
Sense Map
Bells & Gongs
The sound of a small bell, such as a Buddhist altar bell, or a gong being struck once with a clear chime.
仏壇の鐘をかんと鳴らした。
Metallic Impact
The high-pitched, sharp sound of hard metal objects striking each other or dropping on a hard surface.
金属の棒が落ちて、かんと響いた。
Usage Note
How to Use
かんと + verb
Modifies a verb like 'to ring' or 'to resound', describing the clear, sharp metallic quality of the sound.
かんという + noun
Directly modifies a noun (usually 'sound' or 'noise'), specifying that it is a sharp 'kan' chime.
How to Use
Common Phrases
かんと鳴る
ring with a 'kan' ding
かんと響く
resound with a 'kan' chime
かんと打つ
strike with a 'kan' sound
かんという音
a 'kan' sound (a sharp ding or clink)
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Altar Bells & Small Gongs | Carries a solemn, clear, and focused impression. | Frequently used to describe the single, resonant strike of a Buddhist singing bowl or small shrine bell. |
| Hard Metal Clinks | Gives a short, sharp, and slightly piercing impression. | Describes when metal hits another hard surface without producing a long echo. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ちん ちん / similar | Use 'chin' for commonplace, smaller, often mechanical bells, such as a microwave chime or a hotel desk bell. | Unlike 'chin', 'kan' suggests a slightly more ceremonial or distinctly sharp resonance, like an altar bell or a hard metal clink. | 電子レンジがチンと鳴る。 |
じゃんじゃん じゃんじゃん / contrast | Use 'janjan' for continuous, noisy, or urgent ringing of bells. | Unlike 'janjan', 'kan' refers strictly to a single, isolated strike or ding, not a repetitive clanging. | 鐘をじゃんじゃん鳴らす。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'kan' for heavy, booming temple bells.
'Kan' is for high-pitched, clear sounds. Large, deep-sounding bells use 'goon' (ゴーン) or 'gaan' (ガーン).
Using 'kan' for continuous ringing or alarms.
'Kan' implies a single strike. Repeated, quick ringing should be described using reduplicated forms like 'kankan' or 'chirinchirin'.
Examples
Examples
仏壇の鐘をかんと鳴らした。
ぶつだんのかねをかんとならした。
I rang the Buddhist altar bell with a clear ding.
LiteralShows 'kan' used for the clear ring of a Buddhist altar bell.
金属の棒が床に落ちて、かんと響いた。
きんぞくのぼうがゆかにおちて、かんとひびいた。
The metal rod fell to the floor and resounded with a sharp clink.
LiteralDescribes the sharp metallic sound of a hard object falling.
スプーンがグラスに当たって、かんという音がした。
スプーンがグラスにあたって、かんというおとがした。
The spoon hit the glass and made a clear clinking sound.
LiteralIllustrates a light clink between everyday metal and glass.
遠くで小さなドラがかんと鳴るのが聞こえた。
とおくでちいさなドラがかんとなるのがきこえた。
I heard a small gong strike once in the distance.
LiteralUsed for the distinct, single strike of a small gong.
静かな部屋に、時計の鐘がかんと一つ響いた。
しずかなへやに、とけいのかねがかんとひとつひびいた。
In the quiet room, the clock's chime resounded with a single ding.
LiteralEmphasizes a single, echoing chime in a quiet environment.
Similar Words
チン
chin
A short "ding" sound of a small bell or timer, most commonly used as a casual verb meaning to heat food in a microwave. Used for smaller, commonplace bells.
じゃんじゃん
janjan
じゃんじゃん describes doing something freely, vigorously, and continuously without holding back, or the loud clanging sound of a bell. Indicates continuous, noisy clanging.
Questions
What is the difference between 'kan' and 'chin'?
'Kan' describes a sharp ding or chime with a slightly more resonant or ceremonial quality, like a small gong. 'Chin' is used for ordinary, smaller bells, such as the sound of a microwave finishing or a service bell.
Can I use 'kan' for large temple bells?
No. Large temple bells produce a deep, long resonance, typically represented as 'goon' (ゴーン). 'Kan' is reserved for smaller, higher-pitched bells.
Is 'kan' used for continuous ringing sounds?
No, 'kan' represents a single, distinct strike. If a bell is ringing continuously, you would use 'kan-kan' or a different word like 'chirin-chirin'.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2121210
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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