Translation and Meaning of: 三 - san
On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 三 (san) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.
Romaji: san
Kana: さん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1, jlpt-n5
Translation / Meaning: (Num) three
Meaning in English: (num) three
Definition: One of the numbers. A generic term for two and one.
Sumário
- Etymology
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Phrases
Explanation and Etymology - (三) san
The word 「三」 (san) is the numeral that represents three in Japanese. In Japanese writing, it is composed of a single kanji that has three horizontal strokes, symbolizing the concept of quantity or number. This kanji is quite straightforward in its graphic representation, with each stroke representing an individual unit, reflecting the numerical simplicity of three. It is interesting to note that the simplicity of the kanji mirrors the idea of its numerical counterparts in other Eastern languages, such as Chinese, where the symbol also means three.
In etymology, the kanji 「三」 is derived from the ancient Chinese ideogram that already held the same numerical significance. The radical of this character is the symbol itself, representing one of the simplest examples of kanji without additional components or complex radicals. In Japan, the usage of this number is broad and versatile, seen not only in daily life or education but also deeply integrated into cultural practices, traditions, and even superstitions. For example, in Japanese and Asian cultures in general, the number three is often associated with luck and harmony, representing a point of balance.
In addition to its role as a numeral, the term 「三」 (san) unfolds into various expressions and contexts in the Japanese language. Some examples include its use in the concept of "三人組" (sannin-gumi), which means a group of three people, illustrating how the word transcends its basic meaning and enters the cultural and social realm. In the context of days of the month, "三日" (mikka) refers to the third day, showing how the number is integrated into the counting of time. Alternative ways to represent three include the kun'yomi reading "みつ" (mitsu), which is used in more archaic or poetic contexts.
The usefulness and application of 「三」 in Japanese cannot be underestimated, as it represents one of the first numbers that many learners of the language memorize due to its simplicity and immediate recognition. In combination with other kanjis or words, 「三」 helps to form a wide range of words and concepts, demonstrating the flexibility and importance of the term in the Japanese language.
Synonyms and similar words
- 参 (san) - three, also used to indicate addition and reference to something
- 參 (san) - traditional version of three, used in more formal or cultural contexts
- 弎 (san) - variant of three, generally less common and more literary
- 叁 (san) - another form of three, used in specific contexts such as counting
Words related
Words with the same pronunciation: さん san
How to Write in Japanese - (三) san
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese (三) san:
Example Sentences - (三) san
Below are some example sentences:
Ishokujuu wa ningen no sandai yokkyuu desu
Clothing
Clothing and shelter are the three main needs of human beings.
- 衣食住 - clothing, food, and housing
- は - topic particle
- 人間 - human being
- の - possession particle
- 三 - three
- 大 - great
- 欲求 - desire, necessity
- です - verb ser/estar in the present
Taiben wa sankakkei no hen no hitotsu desu
The hypotenuse is one side of the triangle.
The opposite is one of the triangles.
- 対辺 - means "opposite side" in Japanese, referring to the opposite side of an angle in a triangle.
- 三角形 - Means "triangle" in Japanese.
- 辺 - means "side" in Japanese, referring to one side of a triangle.
- 一つ - means "one" in Japanese, indicating that the side mentioned is one of the sides of the triangle.
- です - is a Japanese particle that indicates a statement or statement.
Saisan onegaishimasu
Please ask again.
I would like to ask again.
- 再三 - repeatedly, several times
- お願いします - please I beg you
Mikazuki ga kagayaku yozora wa utsukushii desu
The night when the crescent moon shines is beautiful.
The night sky where the crescent moon shines is beautiful.
- 三日月 - means "crescent moon" and is represented by the ideogram 三日月.
- が - grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "crescent moon".
- 輝く - verb that means "to shine" and is represented by the ideogram 輝く.
- 夜空 - means "night sky" and is represented by the characters 夜空.
- は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "night sky".
- 美しい - adjective that means "beautiful" and is represented by the ideogram 美しい.
- です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the sentence.
Mittsu no tomodachi to issho ni asobu
Play with three friends.
Play with three friends.
- 三人 - three people
- の - possession particle
- 友達 - friends
- と - connecting particle
- 一緒に - together
- 遊ぶ - play
Sanmisen wo hiku no ga suki desu
I like to play shamisen.
I like to play the Shamisen.
- 三味線 - Japanese three-stringed musical instrument
- を - object particle
- 弾く - play (an instrument)
- のが - particle indicating the action of liking something
- 好き - like
- です - verb ser/estar in the present
San nin de iku
Let's go in three people.
Go with three people.
- 三人 - means "three people" in Japanese.
- で - it is a particle that indicates the medium or the place where something happens.
- 行く - means "go" in Japanese.
Sankakukei wa mittsu no hen o motsu zukukei desu
A triangle is a figure with three sides.
A triangle is a figure with three sides.
- 三角形 - means "triangle" in Japanese
- は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
- 三つ - means "three" in Japanese
- の - particle indicating possession
- 辺 - means "side" in Japanese
- を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
- 持つ - means "to have" or "to possess" in Japanese
- 図形 - means "geometric figure" in Japanese
- です - polite way of being or being in Japanese
Mikka kan yasumi ga hoshii desu
I want three days off.
I want a three day break.
- 三日間 (mikakan) - means "three days" in Japanese
- 休み (yasumi) - It means "break" or "rest" in Japanese.
- が (ga) - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 欲しい (hoshii) - Japanese verb that means "to want" or "to desire"
- です (desu) - linking verb in Japanese that indicates the present tense and the formality of the sentence
O primeiro
Minister of Japan is Shinzo Abe
The Japanese Prime Minister is Shinzo Abe.
- 日本 - Japan
- の - possession particle
- 首相 - Prime Minister
- は - topic particle
- 安倍晋三 - Shinzo Abe (name of the current Japanese Prime Minister)
- です - verb "to be" in the present tense
Other words of the same type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
