三(みっ)つ

みっつ

noun

three (things)

1. three (things)

The number three when counting things using native Japanese numbers.

三(みっ)つに分(わ)ける。

To divide into three.

りんごを三(みっ)つください。

Three apples, please.

質問(しつもん)が三(みっ)つあります。

I have three questions.

大(おお)きな荷物(にもつ)が三(みっ)つ届(とど)いた。

Three large packages arrived.

三(みっ)つの方法(ほうほう)があるから、好(す)きなのを選(えら)んでください。

There are three methods, so please choose the one you like.

三(みっ)つ is the native Japanese number for counting three general items.

NATIVE COUNTING SYSTEM (1-10):

一(ひと)つ (1), 二(ふた)つ (2), 三(みっ)つ (3), 四(よっ)つ (4), 五(いつ)つ (5)
六(むっ)つ (6), 七(なな)つ (7), 八(やっ)つ (8), 九(ここの)つ (9), 十(とお) (10)

WHEN TO USE:

General objects without specific counters
Age up to 9: 三(みっ)つ = 3 years old
Abstract things: 理由(りゆう)が三(みっ)つ (three reasons)

CHINESE VS. NATIVE:

三(さん): Sino-Japanese (used with counters)
三(みっ)つ: Native Japanese (standalone counting)

EXAMPLE CONTRAST:

りんごを三(みっ)つ: three apples (native)
りんごを三(さん)個(こ): three apples (Sino-Japanese)

basic

Added 2026.1.11 19:10 · Revised 2026.5.23 22:13

02500/02970_mittsu