Basic Meaning
The kanji 三 means "three" and is one of the first numbers learned in Japanese. It is used both as a standalone number and as a counter in various contexts.
Usage in Counting
When counting objects, 三 can be read as さん or みっつ depending on the counter used. For example, 三人 (さんにん) means "three people," while 三つ (みっつ) is a general counter for three items.
Time and Dates
三 is commonly used in telling time, such as 三時 (さんじ) meaning "three o'clock." It is important to combine it with 午前 (morning) or 午後 (afternoon) to specify the time of day.
Common Collocations
- 三人 (さんにん): three people, used when counting people.
- 三つ (みっつ): three things, general counter.
- 三時 (さんじ): three o'clock, used in telling time.
Tips
Be careful not to confuse the reading さん with other numbers that use the same reading in different contexts. Also, remember that counters change the reading of numbers, so 三 can be さん, みっつ, or other readings depending on the counter.