Chinese words pronounced can (any tone) 14 words, in the 4 tones can is read in. cān (1st tone) 4 words 参(cān) to 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) to 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) to destroy 蚕(cán) silkworm 惭(cán) ashamed 殘(cán) to 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) 3 words 灿(càn) glorious 粲(càn) beautiful 璨(càn) gem 燦(càn) glorious 粲(càn) beautiful 璨(càn) gem Often confused with can cang in any tone 8 words chan in any tone 48 words