三男(さんなん)

さんなん
noun
third son
1. third son
The third-born son in a family.
彼(かれ)は三男(さんなん)だ。
He is the third son.
うちの三男(さんなん)は来年(らいねん)小学校(しょうがっこう)に入(はい)る。
Our third son will start elementary school next year.
三男(さんなん)は自由(じゆう)に育(そだ)てられることが多(おお)いと言(い)われている。
It's said that third sons are often raised with more freedom.

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.

Related Words

Related: 三女(さんじょ)
general
Added 2026.2.9 13:11 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:42
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