Japanese word

空き缶

Pronunciation

Romajiakikan

Meaning

  • nounempty can

Example

空き缶をゴミ箱に入れます。a ki kan o go mi bako ni i re ma su

I put the empty can in the trash can.

Illustration for 空き缶 (empty can)

More examples

飲み終わったら、空き缶を水ですすいでください。no mi o wa tta ra a ki kan o mizu de su su i de ku da sa i

After you finish drinking, rinse the empty can with water.

Core concept

Refers to a can whose contents have been used or removed, leaving the container itself.

Common phrases

  • 空き缶を拾うa ki kan o hiro u

    pick up an empty can

  • 空き缶を捨てるa ki kan o su te ru

    throw away an empty can

  • 空き缶をつぶすa ki kan o tsu bu su

    crush an empty can

Definition in Japanese

中身を使い切るなどして空になった缶。naka mi o tsuka i ki ru na do shi te kara ni na tta kan

Word origin

The compound 空き缶 (akikan) joins 空き (aki, "emptiness or being unused") with 缶 (kan, "can") to describe a can with nothing left inside.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese recycling contexts, 空き缶 (akikan) often appears as a collection category alongside words for bottles and other containers.

Word lists with this word