Translation guide
The English phrase 'three legs' can refer to a physical object with three supports, a three-legged race, or a tripod. This guide covers how to express these concepts naturally in Japanese.
Describing something that has three legs, such as a stool, table, or animal.
Standard way to say 'three legs' when counting legs of furniture, animals, etc. Uses the counter 本 for long, cylindrical objects.
That chair has three legs.
Literally 'three legs', often used for tripods or three-legged stands. Can also refer to a tripod in photography.
I attached the camera to the tripod.
Refers to a three-legged kettle or tripod vessel, often used in historical or ceremonial contexts. Not for everyday objects.
An ancient three-legged kettle is displayed in the museum.
A race where two people have their adjacent legs tied together, effectively having three legs.
The standard term for a three-legged race. Literally 'two people, three legs'. Also used metaphorically for close cooperation.
We did a three-legged race at the sports day.
A stand with three legs, used for cameras, surveying equipment, etc.
If you want to say 'three pairs of legs' (e.g., for insects), use 三対の脚 (さんついのあし). 三本の脚 means three individual legs, not three pairs.
They worked closely together (like a three-legged race) to make the project a success.