Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 三番目 | sanban-me | [sã̠mbã̠mːe̞] (narrow) |
| 三つ目 | mittsume |
Japanese uses different words for 'third' based on whether you are discussing a rank or a physical object. 三番目 is used to indicate rank, a position in a numbered list or an order in a series. 三つ目 is used when counting physical objects or items in a sequence of things you encounter, such as the third intersection on a road or the third stop on a line.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 三番目 is composed of 三 (three), 番 (a counter for numbers or rank) and 目 (an ordinal suffix).
Which one should you use?
Use 三番目 when referring to rank, position in a numbered list or order in a series. Use 三つ目 when counting physical objects or items in a sequence of things encountered, like intersections or houses.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix 目 is added to numbers to turn cardinal numbers into ordinal numbers.
How do you pronounce it?
sanban-me
Did you know?
- The word 三つ used in 三つ目 is part of a native Japanese counting system that is entirely different from the Sino-Japanese system used for 三番目.
- While 三つ目 is used for objects, using it to refer to a person can sound like you are treating them as an object or a mere item in a list.
- In very formal or literary contexts, the character 三 can be replaced by the more complex kanji 参 to mean 'third'.
Examples in context
- これはセルビアで三番目に大きい町である。It's the third biggest city in Serbia.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 三番目 to describe a ranking of cities.Tatoeba #5804561 by fafs, translation #338376 by Sprachprofi
- 道なりに進んで、三つ目の交差点を左に曲がって下さい。Walk along the street and turn left at the third intersection.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 三つ目 to describe a physical landmark like an intersection.Tatoeba #123616 by KK_kaku_, translation #280381 by CK
- 東京駅は三つ目です。Tokyo Station is the third stop.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 三つ目 to describe a stop in a sequence.Tatoeba #635027 by blay_paul, translation #635028 by blay_paul
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are standing in a queue at a store.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さん、今、何番目の方に並んでいますか？Yui-san, ima, nanbanme no kata ni narande imasu ka?Yui, which person in line are we behind now?
- 結衣 Yui健太さん、私たちは三番目ですよ。Kenta-san, watashitachi wa sanbanme desu yo.Kenta, we are third.
- 健太 Kentaもうすぐ順番が来そうですね。Mousugu junban ga kisou desu ne.It looks like it'll be our turn soon.
- 結衣 Yuiそうですね。もうすぐですね。Sou desu ne. Mousugu desu ne.You're right. Almost there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “third” translations and entries 三番目, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
