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'.
He got third place in the marathon.
A shorter, more casual version of 第3位, commonly used in spoken Japanese or informal writing.
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.
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'.
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.
To indicate something is the third item in a list, series, or order.
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.
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.
三等車の切符を買った。
I bought a third-class ticket.
I passed level 3 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.