1.
three people
A count of three people, using the Sino-Japanese number with the counter for people.
三人で行く。
The three of us will go.
子供が三人います。
I have three children.
三人の学生がこの問題に答えた。
Three students answered this question.
三人 uses the Sino-Japanese number 三 with the counter 人 for people.
COUNTING PEOPLE:
The readings for one and two people are irregular: 一人, 二人. From three onward, the regular Sino-Japanese system is used: 三人, 四人, 五人.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 三人で: as a group of three
- 三人とも: all three people
- 三人兄弟: three siblings
- 三人組: a trio, group of three
- 三人前: three servings (food)
CULTURAL NOTE:
The expression 三人寄れば文殊の知恵 ("three heads are better than one") is a well-known proverb.