罐 (guàn) - jar & pot

罐Tone 4

guàn ｜ 23 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

罐 · guàn

jar;

pot;

can;

container;

a vessel for holding liquids, food, or other substances.

jarpotcan

Usage highlights

tea caddyhoney jarsugar bowlpiggy bankgas cylinderpaint can

Synonyms

  • 瓶— bottle (generally narrower neck)
  • 壶— pot, kettle (often with spout)
  • 坛— earthen jar, altar

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I bought a jar of honey (一罐蜂蜜).
  • Please pass me the sugar can (糖罐).
  • This is a traditional tea caddy (茶叶罐).
  • He collects antique porcelain pots (瓷罐).

Collocations

  • tea caddy(茶叶罐)
  • honey jar(蜂蜜罐)
  • sugar bowl(糖罐)
  • piggy bank(存钱罐)
  • gas cylinder(煤气罐)
  • paint can(油漆罐)

Idioms

  • Breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats(破釜沉罐)
  • A new wine in an old bottle(旧瓶装新罐)
  • Like a turtle in a jar(瓮中之罐)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 罐 has been used for storage containers in Chinese culture for millennia, appearing in archaeological finds from various dynasties.
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, special ceramic jars were used to prepare and store herbal remedies.
  • The character reflects ancient craftsmanship in pottery and metalworking for domestic and ceremonial use.

FAQ