三(さん)

さん
number
three
number
1. three
The number three. An important number in Japanese culture, appearing in many expressions and traditions. Combines with counters in straightforward ways.
三(さん)時(じ)に会(あ)いましょう。
Let's meet at three o'clock.
三(さん)人(にん)家族(かぞく)です。
It's a family of three.
この本(ほん)は三(さん)冊(さつ)あります。
There are three of these books.
毎日(まいにち)三(さん)回(かい)、朝(あさ)と昼(ひる)と夜(よる)にご飯(はん)を食(た)べます。
I eat meals three times a day - in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
三(さん)月(がつ)になると暖(あたた)かくなって、桜(さくら)が咲(さ)き始(はじ)めます。お花見(はなみ)が楽(たの)しみです。
When March comes, it gets warmer and the cherry blossoms start to bloom. I'm looking forward to hanami.

The number three. The on'yomi reading さん is used with most counters, while the native Japanese reading is 三(みっ)つ (mittsu) with the つ counter.

Sound changes with counters

さん causes sound changes (rendaku) with certain counters:

  • 三(さん)本(ぼん) (sanbon, not *sanhon) — three long objects
  • 三(さん)杯(ばい) (sanbai, not *sanhai) — three cups/glasses
  • 三(さん)分(ぷん) (sanpun, not *sanfun) — three minutes
  • 三(さん)階(がい) (sangai, not *sankai) — third floor

Compounds

Cultural note

Three is considered a lucky number in Japan. The expression 三度目(さんどめ)の正直(しょうじき) means "third time's the charm."

basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:51 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
00500/00749_san