Kanji 三 - three
Kanji 三 means three. Onyomi readings are サン (san) . Kunyomi readings are み (mi).
Stroke order animation (3 strokes)
Stroke Order Diagram
Each box shows the kanji up to that stroke. Red dot indicates stroke start point.
Readings of 三
音On'yomi (音読み)
訓Kun'yomi (訓読み)
三 in different fonts
Vocabulary with 三
| Audio | English  | Romaji | Japanese | Kana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| three | san | 三 | さん | |
| March | sangatsu | 三月 | さんがつ |
More Information about 三
What does 三 (san) mean and how do you read it?
三 (san) means three. Its onyomi (on'yomi) (Chinese reading) is サン (san). Its kunyomi (kun'yomi) (Japanese reading) is み (mi), みっ-つ (mittsu), and みっか (mikka) for the 3rd day of the month.
Common words with 三 (san)
- 三つ (mittsu)（みっつ）: three (general counter)
- 三人 (sannin)（さんにん）: three people
- 三月 (sangatsu)（さんがつ）: March
- 三日 (mikka)（みっか）: the 3rd day; three days
- 三角 (sankaku)（さんかく）: triangle
- 第三 (daisan)（だいさん）: the third (ordinal; e.g., 第三話 (daisanwa) = episode 3)
Cultural note: what is 参 (san)?
In formal money writing, Japanese use special number forms called 大字 (daiji) to stop tampering. The daiji for 三 (san) is 参 (san). It’s harder to alter than a simple 三 (san). Example: 参万円 (san man'en) (30,000 yen).
Idioms and expressions with 三 (san)
- 三日坊主 (mikka bōzu)（みっかぼうず）: someone who quits after three days (short-lived effort)
- 三人寄れば文殊の知恵 (sannin yoreba monju no chie)（さんにんよればもんじゅのちえ）: three heads are better than one
- 石の上にも三年 (ishi no ue ni mo sannen)（いしのうえにもさんねん）: with three years of patience, you get results (be patient)
- 三々九度 (sansankudo)（さんさんくど）: traditional wedding sake-sharing rite (3 sips × 3 times)
Why is 三 (san) important in culture?
The number three often means balance or completeness in Japan. You’ll see it in phrases, rituals, and history (e.g., 三種の神器 (sanshu no jingi)（さんしゅのじんぎ）: Japan’s Three Sacred Treasures).
