khan

khan — noun

1. In parts of Central Asia, a historical title given to a ruler, military commande

1.名詞C1
釋義

In parts of Central Asia, a historical title given to a ruler, military commander, or high-ranking noble, similar to a king or emperor in other cultures.

例句

Genghis Khan united the Mongol tribes and became the most powerful khan in history.

historical title: khan used after ruler's given name

The khan sent messengers to every village to announce the date of the great fair.

同義詞
  • emperor

    broader term for a ruler of an empire; khan was used alongside emperor for Mongol rulers

  • chieftain

    more local and tribal; a khan often ruled over many chieftains

  • sultan

    Islamic ruler title used in the Middle East and South Asia; khan was more common among steppe peoples

文法句型

the + Khan + of + place

title + name (e.g. Genghis Khan)

用法筆記

Often capitalised when used as part of a ruler's full name (e.g. Kublai Khan). The title can appear before or after the given name depending on the language tradition.

常見錯誤

❌The khan of England visited the castle.
✅The king of England visited the castle.
💡A khan is a specific Central Asian title and should not be used for European rulers.
❌Khan is his family name.
✅Khan is his title.
💡In historical contexts, khan is a title, not a surname, though it later became a common surname in some regions.

2. In certain Asian countries along old trade routes, a building with a large centr

2.名詞C2
釋義

In certain Asian countries along old trade routes, a building with a large central courtyard where travellers, merchants, and their animals could stop and rest for the night.

例句

The old khan near the river still had its original stone walls and heavy wooden gates.

collocation: old khan + stone walls + wooden gates

Ayesha's grandmother recalled sleeping in a khan courtyard during her journey across the mountains.

同義詞
  • caravansary

    more formal and historical; the standard English term for this type of building

  • inn

    broader term for any lodging place; a khan is a specific kind of inn with a courtyard

用法筆記

This sense is now mainly historical; most surviving khans are tourist sites or cultural monuments. The word also appears in place names across South and Central Asia (e.g. Peshawar's Qissa Khwani Bazaar area).

常見錯誤

❌We booked a room at a khan in Paris.
✅We booked a room at a hotel in Paris.
💡Khans are a historical type of Asian inn, not modern hotels worldwide.
❌The khan was just one room with a bed.
✅The khan had a large courtyard surrounded by rooms.
💡A khan is defined by its courtyard layout, not a single room.