How to say "three" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 三さんnumeralThe numeral three, corresponding to the figure 3; used in numbers and numerical contexts such as arithmetic, prices, and telling time.
- 三つみっつnumeralThe native counting word for three, used when counting objects or stating how many there are, as opposed to the numeral 三.
- 三本さんぼんnounCounts three long cylindrical things, such as pencils or bottles; it is not a general way to say the number three, but the counting word for objects of that shape.チョークを三本ください。↗Give me three pieces of chalk.
Choose 三 for the number three in figures and numerical contexts, 「三つ」 for counting three of something, and 三本 specifically for three long cylindrical objects.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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