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三番鶏 (sanbandori) Japanese meaning: third cockcrow | Kotomora
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Around the time of the third cockcrow, the sky finally began to lighten.
Kanji 番 turn, number in a series Related words 一いち 番ばん 鶏どり First cockcrow, earlier in the night.
二に 番ばん 鶏どり Second cockcrow, between the first and third.
Written forms 三さん 番ばん 鶏どり
Standard kanji spelling using 鶏 (chicken).
三さん 番ばん 鳥どり
Variant using 鳥 (bird); less specific but still encountered.
Etymology Compound of 三番 (third) and 鶏/鳥 (chicken/bird). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it follows the pattern of counting cockcrows to mark time before dawn.