ก้าน
stem; stalk; petiole
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 stem; stalk; petiole、leaf midrib、shaft; slender rod-like part
- 2 [classifier for matches and similar slender objects]
This word refers to a slender part that extends from a larger body and supports or connects something, such as a plant stalk or an object's shaft. It can also classify slender, stick-like items such as matches.
stem; stalk; petiole、leaf midrib、shaft; slender rod-like part
A slender supporting or connecting part, such as the stalk of a leaf or flower, the midrib of a leaf, or the shaft of an object.
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จับดอกไม้ที่ก้าน càp dɔ̀ɔk máay thîi kâan Hold the flower by the stem. จับดอกไม้ที่ก้าน details
[classifier for matches and similar slender objects]
A classifier used for certain slender, stick-like objects, especially matches and similar items.
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ไม้ขีดไฟสองก้าน máay khìit fay sɔ̌ɔŋ kâan two matches ไม้ขีดไฟสองก้าน details
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จุดธูปสามก้าน cùt thûup sǎam kâan Light three incense sticks. จุดธูปสามก้าน details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core image of ก้าน is a slender part extending from a larger body to support or connect something. For plants, it commonly refers to the stalk of a leaf, flower, or fruit. ก้านใบ is a leaf stalk or petiole, while ก้านดอก is a flower stalk or stem. ก้าน can also refer to the prominent central rib of a leaf. The word extends naturally to similarly shaped parts of manufactured objects. For example, ก้านแว่นตา means the arm of a pair of glasses, ก้านไม้ขีด is the wooden shaft of a match, and ก้านไม้กอล์ฟ is a golf-club shaft. As a classifier, it follows a number: ไม้ขีดสองก้าน means “two matches.”
Usage
It is common in gardening, cooking, and flower arranging when discussing the stalks of leaves or flowers. It also appears in the names of slender parts of glasses, matches, incense sticks, and sports equipment. It often combines with words such as หัก “break,” ยาว “long,” and สั้น “short.”
Caution
Do not normally use ก้าน for the main trunk or primary stem of a plant; ลำต้น is more appropriate. ก้าน typically describes a thinner stalk attached to a leaf, flower, or fruit. Not every slender object part is called ก้าน: ด้าม is often used for a handgrip, while แกน may be better for a central core or rotating axis. As a classifier, ก้าน is also limited to conventionally stalk-like items and should not replace the usual classifier for every long, thin object.
Differences from similar words
1 stem; stalk; petiole synonyms
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ด้าม is specifically the handle or grip of a tool or other object. ก้าน is a slender supporting or connecting part and does not necessarily function as a handgrip.
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ลำต้น refers to the main stem or trunk of a plant. ก้าน usually means a thinner stalk connecting a leaf, flower, or fruit to the plant.
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แกน is a central core, axis, or axle, often structurally or rotationally central. ก้าน emphasizes a slender part extending from or connecting to something.