noun
3K work; difficult, dirty, and dangerous work
Refers to jobs that are physically demanding, unclean, and hazardous. Originates from the initial K sounds of きつい (kitsui), 汚い (kitanai), and 危険 (kiken). Often used in discussions of labor conditions.
建設現場は典型的な３Ｋの職場だ。
Construction sites are typical 3K workplaces.
若者は３Ｋの仕事を敬遠しがちだ。
Young people tend to avoid 3K jobs.
noun
3K apartment; three bedrooms plus kitchen
Real estate abbreviation for an apartment layout with three bedrooms and a kitchen/dining area. Common in Japanese housing listings.
家族向けの３Ｋの物件を探しています。
I'm looking for a 3K apartment for a family.
このマンションは３Ｋで家賃が手頃だ。
This apartment is a 3K with affordable rent.
Abbreviation formed from the initial letters of three Japanese words: きつい (kitsui, 'tough'), 汚い (kitanai, 'dirty'), and 危険 (kiken, 'dangerous') for the labor sense; and from the English-style floor plan notation where the number indicates bedrooms and K stands for kitchen.