(さんにん)

さんにん
noun
three people
1. three people
A count of three people, using the Sino-Japanese number with the counter for people.
三人(さんにん)()く。
The three of us will go.
子供(こども)三人(さんにん)います。
I have three children.
三人(さんにん)学生(がくせい)がこの問題(もんだい)(こた)えた。
Three students answered this question.

COUNTING PEOPLE:
The counter (にん) is used for counting people. The readings for one and two people are irregular: 一人(ひとり), 二人(ふたり). From three onward, the Sino-Japanese system is used: 三人(さんにん), 四人(よにん), 五人(ごにん).

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 三人(さんにん)で (as a group of three)
  • 三人(さんにん)とも (all three people)
  • 三人(さんにん)兄弟(きょうだい) (three siblings)