Correct pronunciation of "Can"

Question

How to correctly pronounce word "can" in British English and in American English?

Here's somehow related answer but it is more about differences between "can" and "can't", and I'm interested how to pronounce "can" in American English and in British English.

Cameron · Accepted Answer

From the OED (British pronunciation):

kæn

From Merriam-Webster (American pronunciation):

kən, ˈkan also ˈken; dialect ˈkin

Here is an IPA reference, in case you are unfamiliar with the symbols used.

Toby · Answer

To me the AE pronuciation allows more sound to the "e" whereas as a BE speaker I would pronounce hardly any "e" sound and it would sound shorter, more like "kan" such that it ryhmes with the word "pan"

Answered by Toby on August 14, 2021

Minerva · Answer

I speak American English. I hope it's not discouraging to you to hear, Dmitry, but "can" is an extremely common word and the pronunciation changes in subtle ways according to the context it's used in.

In American English "can" is often shortened and pronounced as kn with the vowel of ə or ɪ being mostly hummed during the n sound.

Other times when there's more emphasis being given, the vowel might shift to a longer and very nasally æ.

user420969 · Answer

I'm from California and how I personally say the words is can is pronounced the same as the name Ken whereas can't is pronounced like how most people say can and the "t" isn't pronounced.

Correct pronunciation of "Can"

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