Translation guide
The English word 'triple' can function as a verb, adjective, or noun. This guide covers how to express the core idea of 'three times as much' or 'consisting of three parts' in Japanese, focusing on the most natural and common expressions for an English-speaking learner.
Expressing that something is three times the amount, size, or number of something else.
The most common and versatile way to say 'triple' or 'three times' for quantities, numbers, and amounts. Can be used as a noun or with の to modify another noun.
今年の利益は去年の３倍です。
This year's profit is triple last year's.
彼は私の３倍の給料をもらっている。
He earns triple my salary.
Means 'to become triple' or 'to triple' (intransitive). Used when something increases to three times its original amount.
人口が３倍になった。
The population tripled.
Means 'to make triple' or 'to triple' (transitive). Used when someone causes something to become three times as much.
生産量を３倍にした。
We tripled the production volume.
Means 'triple-layer' or 'threefold', often used for physical layers or structures. Not used for abstract multiplication.
３重の壁
triple walls
Describing something that has three components, such as a triple jump or a triple combination.
The specific term for the athletic event 'triple jump'. Literally 'three-step jump'.
彼は三段跳びで金メダルを取った。
He won the gold medal in the triple jump.
A prefix meaning 'triple' or 'three consecutive', used in words like 三連勝 (three consecutive wins) or 三連符 (triplet in music).
三連勝を達成した。
We achieved a triple victory (three wins in a row).
The loanword 'triple', used in specific contexts like 'triple axel' (トリプルアクセル) or 'triple crown' (トリプルクラウン). Not used for general multiplication.
Expressing the action of something becoming three times larger or causing it to become three times larger.
Intransitive: to triple, to become three times as much. The most natural way to say 'X tripled'.
売上が３倍になった。
Sales tripled.
Transitive: to triple something, to make something three times as much.
彼は資産を３倍にした。
He tripled his assets.
A noun meaning 'tripling' or 'threefold increase', often used in news or formal contexts.
予算の３倍増が提案された。
A tripling of the budget was proposed.
English often uses 'triple' as a verb (e.g., 'The price tripled'). In Japanese, you cannot simply say 「トリプルする」. Instead, use 「３倍になる」 (intransitive) or 「３倍にする」 (transitive).
Use ３倍 (さんばい) for abstract multiplication (three times the amount). Use ３重 (さんじゅう) for physical layers or folds (triple-layered).
値段が３倍になった。
The price tripled.
３重のガラス窓
triple-glazed window
その会社の収益は過去１年で３倍になった。
The company's revenue tripled over the past year.
彼女はエスプレッソのトリプルを注文した。
She ordered a triple espresso.
In coffee contexts, 'triple' is often used as a loanword.
トリプルアクセルを成功させた。
She successfully landed a triple axel.