三男(さんなん)

BIRTH ORDER TERMS (sons):

• 長男(ちょうなん): eldest son
• 次男(じなん): second son
• 三男(さんなん): third son
• 四男(よんなん): fourth son

BIRTH ORDER TERMS (daughters):

• 長女(ちょうじょ): eldest daughter
• 次女(じじょ): second daughter
• 三女(さんじょ): third daughter

Cultural note

In traditional Japanese families, the 長男(ちょうなん) was expected to inherit the family house and business. Younger sons had more freedom to pursue their own paths, which sometimes led to the stereotype that 三男(さんなん) are more easygoing.