Meaning and Usage
「三日」(みっか) can mean either "three days" as a duration or "the third day" of a month. It is a common word used in daily conversation and writing.
Distinguishing Duration vs. Date
When used as a duration, it often appears with counters like 「間」 (かん) to indicate a period, e.g., 「三日間」 means "for three days." When referring to a date, it simply means the third day of the month.
Common Collocations
- 「三日間」: for three days (duration)
- 「三日目」: the third day (ordinal)
- 「三日坊主」: a person who gives up after three days (idiomatic)
Register and Politeness
「三日」 is neutral and can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
Learner Tips
Be careful not to confuse 「三日」 with 「三日間」. The former can mean a date or a duration depending on context, but 「三日間」 clearly indicates a duration. Also, note the pronunciation みっか, which is a special reading for this word.