三
three
Readings
On'yomi
- サン
- ゾウ
Kun'yomi
- み
- み.つ
- みっ.つ
Nanori
- か
- さ
- さい
- さえ
- さぶ
- ざ
- ざえ
- ざぶ
- そう
- ぞ
- ただ
- みつ
- みん
- も
- や
Meaning
三 represents the number three. It is a simple numeral with no extended abstract meanings.
Most common words using 三
24 of 977- 三さんN5
three; 3
- 三つみっつN5
three
- 第三者だいさんしゃ
third party; third person; outsider; disinterested person
- 三角さんかくN3
triangle; triangular shape
- 三振さんしん
strikeout
- 三日月みかづきN2
crescent moon; young moon
- 三角形さんかくけいN3
triangle
- 三味線しゃみせんN1
shamisen; samisen; three-stringed Japanese lute
- 三男さんなんN3
three sons
- 三塁さんるい
third base
- 再三さいさんN2
again and again; repeatedly
- 三流さんりゅうN1
third-rate; third-class
- 三種さんしゅ
three kinds; three varieties
- 第三国だいさんごく
a third country
- 二人三脚ににんさんきゃく
three-legged race
- 三塁打さんるいだ
three-base hit; triple
- 七五三しちごさんN3
shichi-go-san; 7-5-3 day; festival day for children aged 7, 5 and 3 held on or around November 15
- 三権さんけん
the three powers of government (legislative, executive and judicial)
- 三塁手さんるいしゅ
third baseman
- 三省さんせい
frequent reflection; frequent meditation
- 三十日みそか
last day of the month
- 三人さんにんN5
three people
- 十三じゅうさん
thirteen; 13
- 三役さんやく
three highest ranks (wrestling, unions, etc.)
Study
Etymology
三 is a simple pictographic numeral representing the number three with three horizontal strokes. This form has been stable throughout history.
Meaning mnemonic
Three horizontal lines, one for each count: 三 is the number three.
Reading mnemonic
For サン, picture the sun (サン) shining on three horizontal lines: sun -> サン, and the three lines are the number three.