three sun (approx. 9.1 cm)
Traditional Japanese unit of length; one sun is about 3.03 cm, so three sun equals roughly 9.1 cm. Used in historical or traditional contexts.
See also: 寸 (すん)
この刀の刃渡りは三寸ほどだ。
The blade of this sword is about three sun long.
something small, short, or thin (roughly three sun in size)
Figurative use referring to anything notably small, short, or thin, likened to the length of three sun. Often used in set phrases like 三寸の舌 (a glib tongue) or 三寸不爛の舌 (eloquence).
三寸の舌で人を動かす。
Move people with a glib tongue.
stall-keeper; huckster; hawker
Slang term for a street vendor or stall-keeper, especially in traditional market contexts. Possibly derived from the small size of their stalls or goods.
See also: 的屋
縁日で三寸が声を張り上げている。
At the fair, the hawker is shouting loudly.
lowest-rank prostitute
Archaic term for a prostitute of the lowest rank in the Edo period. Not used in modern Japanese.
江戸時代、三寸は最下層の遊女を指した。
In the Edo period, 三寸 referred to the lowest class of prostitute.
heart; mind; feelings
smooth talk; glib tongue; flattery designed to deceive
eloquent tongue; silver tongue
glib tongue; deceptive eloquence
one's mind; one's inner feelings; how someone feels about it
smooth talk; glib tongue; flattery designed to deceive
Literally 'three sun', from 三 (three) and 寸 (sun, a traditional unit of length). The figurative and slang senses derive from the notion of smallness associated with this length.