Chinese words pronounced can (any tone) 16 words, in the 4 tones can is read in. cān (1st tone) 4 words 参(cān) take part in 餐(cān) meal 骖(cān) outside horses of a team of 4 歺(cān) second-round simplified character for 餐 cān 參(cān) take part in 餐(cān) meal 驂(cān) outside horses of a team of 4 歺(cān) second-round simplified character for 餐 cān cán (2nd tone) 3 words 残(cán) destroy 蚕(cán) silkworm 惭(cán) ashamed 殘(cán) destroy 蠶(cán) silkworm 慚(cán) ashamed cǎn (3rd tone) 4 words 惨(cǎn) miserable 憯(cǎn) already 朁(cǎn) if, supposing, nevertheless 黪(cǎn) dark 慘(cǎn) miserable 憯(cǎn) already 朁(cǎn) if, supposing, nevertheless 黲(cǎn) dark càn (4th tone) 5 words 掺(càn) ancient drum piece 灿(càn) glorious 粲(càn) beautiful 璨(càn) gem 孱(càn) used in 孱头 càntou 摻(càn) ancient drum piece 燦(càn) glorious 粲(càn) beautiful 璨(càn) gem 孱(càn) used in 孱头 càntou Often confused with can chan in any tone 52 words