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What is the Kanji for 'Three'? | 三

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Three', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Three' is 三.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Three

    Reading

    kunyomi

    mi

    onyomiさん

    san

    Parts

    One Two

    Example Word

    三: three. The Japanese noun '三 (さん)' means 'three'. It is a number used to denote the quantity or position of something in a sequence. This word is commonly used in various contexts, such as counting objects, indicating time, or specifying order. For example: there are three apples「りんごが三つあります」(りんごがみっつあります). It's the third of the month「今日は三日です」(きょうはみっかです). The word '三' can also be part of compound words, such as '三日月 (みかづき)' (crescent moon), where it retains its numerical meaning but contributes to a broader concept.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    3

    JLPT

    N5

    Grade

    1

    Frequency

    28

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    One

    kanji

    Meaning

    Two

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 5 other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Moon, Month

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ear

    kanji

    Meaning

    Long, Leader

    kanji

    Meaning

    Horse

    kanji

    寿

    Meaning

    Longevity, Congratulations

Words Using

This kanji is used in 12 words:

    word

    Meaning

    Three

    word

    三日

    Meaning

    Three days, Third

    word

    三つ

    Meaning

    Three

    word

    三十

    Meaning

    Thirty

    word

    三百

    Meaning

    Three hundred

    word

    三千

    Meaning

    3000

    word

    三角形

    Meaning

    Triangle

    word

    三流

    Meaning

    Third rate

    word

    二三

    Meaning

    Few

    word

    三日月

    Meaning

    Crescent

    word

    三角

    Meaning

    Triangle

    word

    三郎

    Meaning

    Third son

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 53 kanji contain the part 一 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Two

    kanji

    Meaning

    Seven

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ten

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hundred

    kanji

    Meaning

    Up

    kanji

    Meaning

    Down

    kanji

    Meaning

    Big

    kanji

    Meaning

    Day, Sun

    kanji

    Meaning

    Soil

    kanji

    Meaning

    Heaven

    kanji

    Meaning

    Insect

    kanji

    Meaning

    Woman

    kanji

    Meaning

    Child

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ear

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mouth

    kanji

    Meaning

    Book, Origin

    kanji

    Meaning

    Correct

    kanji

    Meaning

    King

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ten thousand

    kanji

    Meaning

    Light

    kanji

    Meaning

    Same

    kanji

    Meaning

    Now

    kanji

    西

    Meaning

    West

    kanji

    Meaning

    Door

    kanji

    Meaning

    Picture

    kanji

    Meaning

    Construction

    kanji

    Meaning

    Talent, Age

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bird

    kanji

    Meaning

    Yellow

    kanji

    Meaning

    Come

    kanji

    Meaning

    Go

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fit, Match

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cold

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thing

    kanji

    Meaning

    Measurement

    kanji

    Meaning

    Street

    kanji

    Meaning

    Both

    kanji

    Meaning

    Beans

    kanji

    Meaning

    Precious

    kanji

    Meaning

    Plate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Worship

    kanji

    Meaning

    Use, Dispatch

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mutual

    kanji

    Meaning

    Again, Twice

    kanji

    Meaning

    Arrive, Climax

    kanji

    Meaning

    Military

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hill

    kanji

    Meaning

    Beast, Animal

    kanji

    Meaning

    Spirits

    kanji

    Meaning

    Guest, Vip

    kanji

    Meaning

    Two

    kanji

    Meaning

    Third, Third class

    kanji

    Meaning

    Dawn

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 13 kanji contain the part 二 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Eye

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hand

    kanji

    Meaning

    Car

    kanji

    Meaning

    Say

    kanji

    Meaning

    Make

    kanji

    Meaning

    Origin

    kanji

    Meaning

    Meet

    kanji

    Meaning

    Face, Surface

    kanji

    Meaning

    Man, Husband

    kanji

    Meaning

    Show, Indicate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mutual

    kanji

    Meaning

    Well

    kanji

    Meaning

    Benevolent, Humanity

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 三 mean?

三 means 'Three'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in First Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N5 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.