καν

See also: κἀν and κἄν

Greek

Etymology

From Ancient Greek κἄν (kán), καὶ ἄν (kaì án), consisting of καί (kaí, “and, even”) + ἄν (án, modal particle).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkan/

Conjunction

καν • (kan)

1. even (implying an extreme example in the case mentioned)

   Δεν ήξερε καν τα βασικά.

   Den íxere kan ta vasiká.

   He didn't even know the basics.

   Δεν μας είπε καν που πάει.

   Den mas eípe kan pou páei.

   He didn't even tell us where he was going.

2. even, so much as

   Ούτε καν με ρώτησε αν ήμουν εντάξει.

   Oúte kan me rótise an ímoun entáxei.

   He didn't even ask me if I was okay.

   Έφυγε χωρίς καν να μας πει αντίο.

   Éfyge chorís kan na mas pei antío.

   He left without so much as a goodbye.

3. (rare) either ... or

   Καν χθες καν προχθές με κάλεσε στο τηλέφωνο.

   Kan chthes kan prochthés me kálese sto tiléfono.

   Either yesterday or the day before she called me on the phone.

Synonyms

• (even): ούτε (oúte)
• (either or): είτε (eíte), ή (í)