三
san[sã̠ɴ]
The English word 'three' is translated into Japanese as 三 (san), 三つ or スリー.
Meaning: cardinal number 3 (num)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 三 | san | [sã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
| 三つ | mittsu | [mʲit̚t͡sɨ] (narrow) [mʲit͡sɨ] (narrow) |
| スリー | surī | [sɨɾʲiː] (narrow) |
The kanji 三 is used for the pure number, in mathematical contexts, in dates and as a prefix for many compound words. It can also represent the digit or figure 3.
Which one should you use?
Use 三つ (mittsu) when counting general objects. Use 三 (san) when using the number by itself or with specific counters. The katakana form スリー (surī) is a loanword used for specific contexts like sports scores, countdowns or modern branding.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
san
Did you know?
- The native Japanese reading for three, mi, is likely an apophonic form of the word for six, mu.
Examples in context
- 三時過ぎよ。It's just after three o'clock.This example shows how to use 三 when referring to time.Tatoeba #10198685 by small_snow, translation #7910812 by CK
- 男が三人いた。There were three men.This example shows how to use 三 when referring to a quantity of men.Tatoeba #3468493 by arnab, translation #72664 by CK
- 三人兄弟なの？Are you three brothers?This example shows how to use 三 when referring to the number of siblings.Tatoeba #8816049 by bunbuku, translation #7538055 by CK
- 会議は３時間後に始まります。The meeting will start in three hours.
- 私の誕生日は３月３日です。My birthday is on the third of March.
- 昨日、３時間も寝てしまいました。I slept for three hours yesterday.
- ケーキを３つ買いました。I bought three cakes.
- この花は３週間ほどで咲きます。This flower blooms in about three weeks.
- 279 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiroto and Yui are checking their order at a cafe.
- 大翔 Hirotoコーヒーを三杯頼んだよね？Kōhī o san-bai tanonda yo ne?We ordered three coffees, right?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、三杯だよ。Un, san-bai dayo.Yes, it's three.
- 大翔 Hirotoあ、二杯しか来てない。A, ni-hai shika kite nai.Oh, only two have arrived.
- 結衣 Yui本当だ。店員さんに伝えよう。Hontō da. Ten'in-san ni tsutae yō.You're right. Let's tell the server.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “three” translations and entries 三, 三つ, スリー, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries スリー, 三, 三つ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
