読よみ書かきそろばん

expression, noun

the three Rs; reading, writing and arithmetic

A set phrase referring to the three fundamental skills of basic education: reading, writing, and calculation (using an abacus). Often used in historical or traditional contexts.

• 昔むかしの寺てら子こ屋やでは、読よみ書かきそろばんが教おしえられた。

  In old temple schools, the three Rs (reading, writing, and arithmetic) were taught.

• 読よみ書かきそろばんは、江え戸ど時じ代だいの基き礎そ教きょう育いくの中ちゅう心しんだった。

  The three Rs were the core of basic education in the Edo period.