Translation guide
Expresses the concept of being in the third position or tier in a ranking, hierarchy, or sequence. Japanese uses ordinal numbers, counters, and specific terms depending on context.
To say someone or something came in third place in a race, contest, or ranking.
Standard way to say 'third place' in rankings, competitions, or lists. 第 (だい) is the ordinal prefix, 3 is the number, and 位 (い) means 'rank' or 'place'.
彼はマラソンで第3位になった。
He got third place in the marathon.
A shorter, more casual version of 第3位, commonly used in spoken Japanese or informal writing.
うちのチームは3位だった。
Our team came in third.
Means 'third (in order)' and is used for sequential order rather than competitive ranking. 番目 (ばんめ) indicates order.
彼は3番目にゴールした。
He was the third to cross the finish line.
To refer to the third level in a structured hierarchy like martial arts belts, official ranks, or titles.
Used in martial arts (judo, kendo, etc.) and games like shogi or go for the third dan rank. 段 (だん) means 'grade' or 'level'.
彼は柔道三段です。
He holds a third-degree black belt in judo.
Means 'third class' or 'third grade', used in contexts like train classes, awards, or military ranks. 等 (とう) means 'class' or 'grade'.
Used for the third level in proficiency tests (e.g., language tests) or skill rankings where 級 (きゅう) indicates a class or grade, often counting down from lower numbers as higher skill.
日本語能力試験の三級に合格した。
I passed level 3 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.
To indicate something is the third item in a list, series, or order.
General counter for the third item when counting things. つ is the generic counter, 目 (め) indicates ordinal.
3つ目の角を右に曲がってください。
Turn right at the third corner.
Also used for sequential order, interchangeable with 3つ目 in many cases but slightly more formal.
3番目の問題が一番難しかった。
The third question was the hardest.
Specifically refers to the third-highest rank in professional sumo, sekiwake.
The third-highest rank in sumo, below yokozuna and ozeki. This is a specialized term used only in sumo context.
彼は関脇に昇進した。
He was promoted to sekiwake (third rank).
Do not directly translate 'third rank' as 第三ランク or 三番ランク. Use context-appropriate terms like 第3位, 三段, or 3番目.
I bought a third-class ticket.