How to Say "Three Days" in Japanese

三日

mikka

The English phrase "three days" is translated into Japanese as 三日 (mikka).

三日 is used to refer to a period of time lasting seventy-two hours. It can also refer to a specific point in time, namely the third day of a month.

Which one should you use?

Depending on the context, 三日 can mean both a duration of "three days" and the specific date of "the third day" of the month.

mikka

There is a common Japanese proverb 三日坊主 which translates to 'three-day monk'. It describes someone who starts a new hobby or diet with enthusiasm but quits after only a few days.
While 三日 means 'three days', the Japanese word for 'three' is usually san. In this specific phrase, the native Japanese reading mi is used instead.
The number three is often used in Japanese idioms to represent 'a few' or 'several' rather than exactly three. This means 三日 can sometimes imply 'a short period of time' in a general sense.

切符は三日間有効だ。
The ticket is good for three days.
This sentence shows how to express that a ticket is valid for a specific period using 三日.
Tatoeba #142093 by bunbuku, translation #1409674 by CK
雨が三日降り続いた。
It rained for three days on end.
This sentence demonstrates the use of 三日 to describe a continuous duration of rain.
Tatoeba #189686 by small_snow, translation #26840 by CK
蝶の寿命は三日です。
Butterflies live for three days.
This sentence uses 三日 to state the lifespan of a butterfly.
Tatoeba #595919 by bunbuku, translation #2719784 by WestofEden
46 more sentences on Tatoeba

Kenta and Misaki are discussing a travel plan.

健太 Kenta

京都に三日行きたいです。
Kyoto ni mikka ikitai desu.
I want to go to Kyoto for three days.
美咲 Misaki

三日あれば十分ですね。
Mikka areba juubun desu ne.
Three days should be enough, right?
健太 Kenta

はい、それで十分だと思います。
Hai, sore de juubun da to omoimasu.
Yes, I think that's enough.
美咲 Misaki

じゃあ、ホテルを予約しましょう。
Jaa, hoteru o yoyaku shimashou.
Then, let's book the hotel.

Sources

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