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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

    三

    Meaning

    Three

    Reading

    kunyomiみ

    mi

    onyomiさん

    san

    Parts

    二Two 一One

    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

    一

    Stroke Count

    3

    JLPT

    N5

    Grade

    1

    Frequency

    28

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 三

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

    kanji

    二

    Meaning

    Two

    kanji

    一

    Meaning

    One

三 As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 5 other kanji:

    kanji

    馬

    Meaning

    Horse

    kanji

    月

    Meaning

    Moon, Month

    kanji

    長

    Meaning

    Long, Leader

    kanji

    寿

    Meaning

    Longevity, Congratulations

    kanji

    耳

    Meaning

    Ear

Words Using 三

This kanji is used in 12 words:

    word

    三

    Meaning

    Three

    word

    三つ

    Meaning

    Three

    word

    三十

    Meaning

    Thirty

    word

    三角形

    Meaning

    Triangle

    word

    三日月

    Meaning

    Crescent

    word

    三郎

    Meaning

    Third son

    word

    三千

    Meaning

    3000

    word

    二三

    Meaning

    Few

    word

    三角

    Meaning

    Triangle

    word

    三流

    Meaning

    Third rate

    word

    三百

    Meaning

    Three hundred

    word

    三日

    Meaning

    Three days, Third

Kanji Related to 三 Through the Part 二

These 13 kanji contain the part 二 as well.

    kanji

    車

    Meaning

    Car

    kanji

    面

    Meaning

    Face, Surface

    kanji

    目

    Meaning

    Eye

    kanji

    互

    Meaning

    Mutual

    kanji

    元

    Meaning

    Origin

    kanji

    作

    Meaning

    Make

    kanji

    仁

    Meaning

    Benevolent, Humanity

    kanji

    手

    Meaning

    Hand

    kanji

    夫

    Meaning

    Man, Husband

    kanji

    言

    Meaning

    Say

    kanji

    井

    Meaning

    Well

    kanji

    会

    Meaning

    Meet

    kanji

    示

    Meaning

    Show, Indicate

Kanji Related to 三 Through the Part 一

These 53 kanji contain the part 一 as well.

    kanji

    豆

    Meaning

    Beans

    kanji

    拝

    Meaning

    Worship

    kanji

    七

    Meaning

    Seven

    kanji

    女

    Meaning

    Woman

    kanji

    丘

    Meaning

    Hill

    kanji

    二

    Meaning

    Two

    kanji

    口

    Meaning

    Mouth

    kanji

    獣

    Meaning

    Beast, Animal

    kanji

    大

    Meaning

    Big

    kanji

    百

    Meaning

    Hundred

    kanji

    行

    Meaning

    Go

    kanji

    合

    Meaning

    Fit, Match

    kanji

    賓

    Meaning

    Guest, Vip

    kanji

    来

    Meaning

    Come

    kanji

    旦

    Meaning

    Dawn

    kanji

    虫

    Meaning

    Insect

    kanji

    今

    Meaning

    Now

    kanji

    寸

    Meaning

    Measurement

    kanji

    黄

    Meaning

    Yellow

    kanji

    皿

    Meaning

    Plate

    kanji

    至

    Meaning

    Arrive, Climax

    kanji

    貴

    Meaning

    Precious

    kanji

    上

    Meaning

    Up

    kanji

    土

    Meaning

    Soil

    kanji

    互

    Meaning

    Mutual

    kanji

    十

    Meaning

    Ten

    kanji

    両

    Meaning

    Both

    kanji

    事

    Meaning

    Thing

    kanji

    万

    Meaning

    Ten thousand

    kanji

    王

    Meaning

    King

    kanji

    天

    Meaning

    Heaven

    kanji

    本

    Meaning

    Book, Origin

    kanji

    耳

    Meaning

    Ear

    kanji

    才

    Meaning

    Talent, Age (counter)

    kanji

    遣

    Meaning

    Use, Dispatch

    kanji

    丙

    Meaning

    Third, Third class

    kanji

    子

    Meaning

    Child

    kanji

    戸

    Meaning

    Door

    kanji

    丁

    Meaning

    Street

    kanji

    工

    Meaning

    Construction

    kanji

    光

    Meaning

    Light

    kanji

    武

    Meaning

    Military

    kanji

    同

    Meaning

    Same

    kanji

    下

    Meaning

    Down

    kanji

    寒

    Meaning

    Cold

    kanji

    西

    Meaning

    West

    kanji

    日

    Meaning

    Day, Sun

    kanji

    弐

    Meaning

    Two

    kanji

    正

    Meaning

    Correct

    kanji

    霊

    Meaning

    Spirits

    kanji

    鳥

    Meaning

    Bird

    kanji

    再

    Meaning

    Again, Twice

    kanji

    画

    Meaning

    Picture

Learn the Kanji 三

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.