三さん年ねん

Meanings

Usage patterns

• 三さん年ねん前まえに〈動どう詞し〉to have done something three years ago

  三さん年ねん前まえに日本にほんに来きました。

  I came to Japan three years ago.

• 三さん年ねん後ごに〈動どう詞し〉to do something three years from now/later

  三さん年ねん後ごに卒そつ業ぎょうする予よ定ていです。

  I plan to graduate in three years.

• 三さん年ねん間かん〈動どう詞し〉to do something for a period of three years

  三さん年ねん間かん、この会かい社しゃで働はたらきました。

  I worked at this company for three years.

• 〈人ひと〉は三さん年ねん生せいだsomeone is a third-year student

  彼かれは大だい学がく三さん年ねん生せいです。

  He is a third-year university student.

Expressions

• 桃もも栗くり三さん年ねん柿かき八はち年ねんit often takes time for one's actions to bear fruit; peach and chestnut seeds take three years, persimmons take eight
• 石いしの上うえにも三さん年ねんperseverance prevails; patience wears the stone