three highest ranks; top three offices
Used collectively for a set of three senior ranks or posts. In sumo it commonly refers to the titled ranks such as 大関, 関脇, and 小結; in organizations it can refer to the top three officers.
A young sumo wrestler was promoted to the sanyaku ranks.
The union's three top officers attended the meeting.
three roles; three parts; three divisions
Refers to three roles, parts, or divisions taken together, especially when one person or project covers three distinct functions.
He handled the three roles of director, screenwriter, and lead actor in this film.
She played three parts by herself on stage.
That wrestler was promoted to the top three ranks this tournament.
This product serves three functions: waterproofing, dust resistance, and impact resistance.
He has served in one of the party's top three posts for many years.
幹部 refers broadly to the leadership or top management of an organization, whereas 三役 specifies exactly three top posts.
三役 covers the titled ranks (ozeki, sekiwake, komusubi) just below yokozuna, while 平幕 refers to the untitled wrestlers ranked below them.
sumo referee for san'yaku-ranked bouts
wrestler newly promoted to a san'yaku rank
three top political posts in a ministry; minister, vice minister, and parliamentary secretary
return to san'yaku rank
final three bouts on the last day of a tournament
ritual stomping in unison by the three highest-ranking wrestlers on the final day of a sumo tournament
A Sino-Japanese compound of 三, meaning 'three', and 役, meaning 'role, office, duty, or rank'. The spelling transparently reflects the modern meanings; the detailed historical development is not specified.