三さん番ばん鶏どり

noun

third cockcrow

Refers to the third crowing of a rooster, traditionally marking the approach of dawn. A literary or historical term, not used in everyday conversation.

• 三さん番ばん鶏どりが鳴なく頃ころ、ようやく空そらが白しろみ始はじめた。

  Around the time of the third cockcrow, the sky finally began to lighten.