三さん徳とく

noun

three cardinal virtues

Refers to the Confucian trio of wisdom, benevolence, and valor. A formal, somewhat literary term.

• 武ぶ士しは三さん徳とくを重おもんじた。

  Samurai valued the three cardinal virtues.

noun

three uses; three advantages

Describes something that serves three functions or offers three benefits. Often seen in product names like 三徳包丁 (all-purpose kitchen knife).

See also: 三徳包丁

• この包ほう丁ちょうは三さん徳とく包ほう丁ちょうと呼よばれ、肉にくも魚さかなも野や菜さいも切きれる。

  This knife is called a santoku knife; it can cut meat, fish, and vegetables.

noun

three qualities of nirvana; three virtues of Buddhahood

Buddhist technical terms. Sense 3 refers to qualities of nirvana (dharmakaya, prajna, moksha); sense 4 refers to virtues of Buddhahood (benevolence, wisdom, renunciation of klesha). Both are rare outside specialist contexts.

• 仏ぶっ教きょうの経きょう典てんには三さん徳とくの概がい念ねんが説とかれている。

  The concept of the three virtues is expounded in Buddhist scriptures.

noun

Edo-period three-pocket pouch

Historical term for a small pouch with separate compartments for a handkerchief, notes, and toothpicks, popular in the Edo period.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいの三さん徳とくは、ハンカチや筆ひっ記き具ぐ、楊よう枝じを入いれる小ちいさな袋ふくろだった。

  The Edo-period santoku was a small pouch for holding a handkerchief, writing tools, and toothpicks.