三さん重じゅう

also: みえ

さ

ん

じゅ

う

Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun

triple; threefold; three-ply

Used as a prefix or modifier to indicate three layers, three times, or three of something. Common in compounds like 三重の塔 (three-storied pagoda) or 三重奏 (trio).

この箱はこは三さん重じゅうの底そこになっている。
This box has a triple bottom.
三さん重じゅうの塔とうが公こう園えんにある。
There is a three-storied pagoda in the park.

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Usage patterns

〈物もの〉を三さん重じゅうにするto make something threefold/triple-layered
布ぬのを三さん重じゅうにして傷きず口ぐちを押おさえた。
I folded the cloth into three layers and pressed it against the wound.
三さん重じゅうに〈動どう詞し〉to do something in three layers/times
ロープを三さん重じゅうに巻まいて固こ定ていした。
I wound the rope around three times to secure it.
三さん重じゅうの〈事こと〉a triple/threefold (meaning, structure, etc.)
この言こと葉ばには三さん重じゅうの意い味みが込こめられている。
This word carries a triple meaning.

Grammar

一人ひとり・二に本ほん・三さん冊さつnumbers and countersN5

Kanji

三three
重heavy, important, esteem

Related words

二に重じゅうN1
二重 means 'double' or 'twofold', one step below 三重, which means 'triple' or 'threefold'; both describe layered or repeated structure at different degrees.
三さん倍ばい
三倍 means 'three times (the amount)' and focuses on quantity multiplication, while 三重 focuses on layered or repeated structure such as three folds or three parts.

Opposites

一ひと重えN1
一重 describes something single-layered or unfolded once, the opposite of 三重, which describes something folded or layered three times.

Don't confuse with

三み重え県けん
三重県 is the name of Mie Prefecture and is read みえ, while 三重 meaning 'triple' is read さんじゅう despite sharing the same kanji.
三み重え
三重 read as みえ names Mie Prefecture, while the same kanji read as さんじゅう means 'triple/threefold'.

Word family· 15

三さん重じゅう苦く
triple handicap; triple affliction
三さん重じゅう丸まる
three concentric circles; triple circle
三さん重じゅう冠かん
papal triple tiara
三さん重じゅう唱しょう
vocal trio
三重塔さんじゅうのとう
three-storied pagoda

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Written forms

三重
- さんじゅう
  Standard kanji spelling for the reading さんじゅう, meaning 'triple' or 'threefold'.
- みえ
  Reading みえ is primarily a place name (Mie Prefecture) and is not used for the 'triple' sense in modern Japanese.
みえ

Etymology

Compound of 三 (three) and 重 (layer, fold). The reading さんじゅう is the standard on'yomi combination. The reading みえ is an irregular kun'yomi-based reading used primarily in the place name Mie Prefecture.