Definition

1. Noun:
   • A counterweight, a scale weight: A standardized mass used with a balance scale to measure the weight of an object by comparison.
   • (Regional/Dialectal) Fruit: In some southern Vietnamese dialects, "trái cân" can be a colloquial term for fruit, where "cân" is likely a phonetic variation or corruption of "cây" (tree/plant).

Usage Examples

• Noun (Counterweight):

  • Người bán hàng đặt một trái cân 1kg lên đĩa cân. (The vendor placed a 1kg weight on the scale pan.)
  • Cái cân thiếu mất một trái cân. (The scale is missing one of its weights.)

• Noun (Regional: Fruit):

  • Vườn nhà tôi có nhiều trái cân ngon. (My garden has many delicious fruits.)

Advanced Usage

• The primary and standard meaning is the object used for weighing. The dialectal meaning for "fruit" is considered non-standard in formal Vietnamese and is largely restricted to specific regional speech.

Variants and Related Words

• Quả cân (n): The more common and standard term for a "scale weight" or "counterweight."
• Trái cây (n): The standard term for "fruit."
• Cân (n): Scale (the measuring device).
• Cân bằng (v/n): To balance; equilibrium.

Synonyms

• Counterweight: A weight that balances another.
• Scale weight: A standardized mass for measuring.
• (Regional) Fruit: The edible product of a plant.

Notes on Usage

• To avoid confusion, use "quả cân" for a scale weight and "trái cây" for fruit in formal or general contexts.
• The dialectal use of "trái cân" for fruit is an example of regional linguistic variation and may not be understood by all Vietnamese speakers.