3 in Japanese = 三 (san / mittsu)

The number 3 in Japanese is 三 (san) pronounced "sahn" for counting/math, or みっつ (mittsu) pronounced "MEET-tsoo" when counting objects.

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

San (さん):

• One syllable: san
• "Sahn" (like "sun" but with "ah")
• Most common reading
• Also used as honorific suffix (Mr./Mrs./Ms.)

Mittsu (みっつ):

• Two syllables: mit-tsu
• "MEET-tsoo" (small っ indicates double "t")
• Native Japanese counting

Common mistakes:

• Confusing さん (san = 3) with さん (san = Mr./Mrs.)
• Not pronouncing the doubled "t" in mittsu
• Saying "san" like English "sun" instead of "sahn"

Practical Usage

Phone numbers:

• 3 = さん (san)
• Example: 033 = ゼロさんさん (zero san san)

Prices:

• ¥3 = 三円 (san en)
• ¥300 = 三百円 (sanbyaku en)

Times:

• 3:00 = 三時 (san-ji)
• 3:15 = 三時十五分 (san-ji jūgo fun)
• 3:30 = 三時半 (san-ji han)

Dates:

• 3rd of month = 三日 (mikka) - special reading!
• March = 三月 (sangatsu)

Counting objects:

• Three items = 三つ (mittsu)
• Three books = 三冊 (san satsu)
• Three people = 三人 (san nin)

The Kanji 三

Character: 三

• Three horizontal strokes
• Visually represents the number 3
• Simple to write: three parallel lines
• Stroke order: top to bottom

Common Phrases

三番 (sanban): Number three, third

三度 (sando): Three times

三人 (san nin): Three people

三つ (mittsu): Three (things)

三日月 (mikazuki): Crescent moon (literally "third-day moon")

三角 (sankaku): Triangle (three corners)

三月 (sangatsu): March

The Honorific さん

Important distinction:

• 三 (san) = the number 3
• さん (san) = honorific suffix (Mr./Mrs./Ms.)

Context makes it clear:

• 田中さん (Tanaka-san) = Mr./Mrs. Tanaka
• 三つ (mittsu) = three items
• 三時 (san-ji) = 3 o'clock

Special Readings

Mikka (みっか / 三日):

• The 3rd day of the month
• Also means "three days"
• Special irregular reading

Sanbyaku (さんびゃく / 三百):

• 300
• Note: The "h" in hyaku changes to "b" after san
• Irregular sound change (rendaku)

Quick Takeaways

• 3 = 三 (san) or みっつ (mittsu)
• Pronounced "sahn" or "MEET-tsoo"
• Don't confuse with honorific さん (Mr./Mrs./Ms.)
• 3rd of month = 三日 (mikka) - special reading
• Three people = 三人 (san nin)
• 300 = 三百 (sanbyaku) with sound change
• Three horizontal strokes for the kanji

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TravelNum shows you how numbers are pronounced in Japanese.