kǎn

棱坎

Word · NounTraditional坎

pit; depression; threshold

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 5 examples
1.

noun

pit; depression in the ground

Often refers to a natural or man-made hollow in the ground.

Lù路
zhōng中
jiān间
yǒu有
yī一
gè个
dà大
kǎn坎
 。

There is a big pit in the middle of the road.

Tā他
diào掉
jìn进
le了
tǔ土
kǎn坎
lǐ里
 。

He fell into an earthen pit.

Show 1 more example
Tián田
dì地
lǐ里
yǒu有
xǔ许
duō多
xiǎo小
shuǐ水
kǎn坎
 。

There are many small water-filled depressions in the field.

2.

noun

threshold (of a door); step

Can be literal or metaphorical (e.g., a barrier to overcome).

Tā他
mài迈
guò过
le了
gāo高
gāo高
de的
mén门
kǎn槛
kǎn坎
 。

He stepped over the high threshold.

Zhè这
shì是
shì事
yè业
shàng上
de的
yī一
gè个
zhòng重
yào要
kǎn坎
 。

This is an important hurdle in one's career.