Translation and Meaning of: 三 - mi

The word 「三」 (mi) is the number three in the Japanese language and has a rich etymology and cultural usage. The kanji 「三」 is composed of three horizontal strokes that represent the idea of continuity and plurality. This kanji is considered one of the simplest to learn due to its basic structure and clear symmetry, making it easy to memorize and understand even for those who are just starting to study the Japanese language.

Historically, the number three has an important meaning in various cultures, including Japanese. In Japanese culture, 「三」 symbolizes balance and harmony. This presence is seen in several aspects of Japanese society, from traditions to architecture. For example, in the tea ceremony, many actions are performed in groups of three, reflecting the search for perfect balance.

In terms of etymology, the word for three, 「み」 (mi) in hiragana, has roots in ancient Japanese, where basic numbers had their own readings before the Chinese influence. The term is widely used in compound words and is essential in basic Japanese counting, especially in the native Japanese counting system, where numbers are often accompanied by 「っ」 before specific counting units.

Curiosidades Culturais

• In Japanese, the number three is often associated with luck and is a preferred number in groupings, both in design and in folklore narratives.
• Many traditional Japanese stories use the number three as the basis for their plots, such as the famous tale of Momotaro and his three helpers.

Furthermore, 「三」 has variations in use in different linguistic contexts, being an integral part of expressions and proverbs in Japanese that highlight its importance and omnipresence in Japanese culture and language. This demonstrates how an apparently simple concept can have deep cultural and linguistic roots, reflecting in the daily lives of people.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 参 (san) - three (used in counting or in formal contexts)
• 叁 (sān) - three (used mainly in formal contexts or in documents)
• みっつ (mittsu) - three (counting objects, used in informal situations)
• み (mi) - three (less common, used in specific contexts or counts)
• さん (san) - three (native form of counting, used in everyday life)

三

Romaji: mi
Kana: み
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1, jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: (Num) three

Meaning in English: (num) three

Definition: One out of a number.

Example Sentences - (三) mi

See below some example sentences:

衣食住は人間の三大欲求です。

Ishokujuu wa ningen no sandai yokkyuu desu

Clothing

Clothing and shelter are the three main needs of human beings.

• 衣食住 - clothing, food, and housing
• は - Topic particle
• 人間 - Human being
• の - Possession particle
• 三 - three
• 大 - large
• 欲求 - desire, necessity
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

対辺は三角形の辺の一つです。

Taiben wa sankakkei no hen no hitotsu desu

The hypotenuse is one side of the triangle.

The opposite is one of the triangles.

• 対辺 - means "opposite side" in Japanese, referring to the opposite side of an angle in a triangle.
• 三角形 - Means "triangle" in Japanese.
• 辺 - means "side" in Japanese, referring to one side of a triangle.
• 一つ - means "one" in Japanese, indicating that the side mentioned is one of the sides of the triangle.
• です - is a Japanese particle that indicates a statement or statement.

再三お願いします。

Saisan onegaishimasu

Please ask again.

I would like to ask again.

• 再三 - repeatedly, several times
• お願いします - please, I ask you

三日月が輝く夜空は美しいです。

Mikazuki ga kagayaku yozora wa utsukushii desu

The night when the crescent moon shines is beautiful.

The night sky where the crescent moon shines is beautiful.

• 三日月 - means "crescent moon" and is represented by the ideogram 三日月.
• が - grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "crescent moon".
• 輝く - verb that means "to shine" and is represented by the ideogram 輝く.
• 夜空 - means "night sky" and is represented by the characters 夜空.
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "night sky".
• 美しい - adjective that means "beautiful" and is represented by the ideogram 美しい.
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the sentence.

三人の友達と一緒に遊ぶ。

Mittsu no tomodachi to issho ni asobu

Play with three friends.

Play with three friends.

• 三人 - three people
• の - Possession particle
• 友達 - friends
• と - connecting particle
• 一緒に - together
• 遊ぶ - Play

三味線を弾くのが好きです。

Sanmisen wo hiku no ga suki desu

I like to play shamisen.

I like to play the Shamisen.

• 三味線 - Japanese three-stringed musical instrument
• を - object particle
• 弾く - play (an instrument)
• のが - particle indicating the action of liking something
• 好き - like
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

三人で行く。

San nin de iku

Let's go in three people.

Go with three people.

• 三人 - means "three people" in Japanese.
• で - it is a particle that indicates the medium or the place where something happens.
• 行く - means "go" in Japanese.

三角形は三つの辺を持つ図形です。

Sankakukei wa mittsu no hen o motsu zukukei desu

A triangle is a figure with three sides.

A triangle is a figure with three sides.

• 三角形 - means "triangle" in Japanese
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 三つ - means "three" in Japanese
• の - Particle that indicates possession
• 辺 - means "side" in Japanese
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 持つ - means "to have" or "to possess" in Japanese
• 図形 - means "geometric figure" in Japanese
• です - polite way of being or being in Japanese

三日間休みが欲しいです。

Mikka kan yasumi ga hoshii desu

I want three days off.

I want a three-day break.

• 三日間 (mikakan) - "三日" em japonês significa "três dias".
• 休み (yasumi) - It means "holiday" or "rest" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 欲しい (hoshii) - Japanese verb that means "to want" or "to desire"
• です (desu) - Japanese copula that indicates the present tense and the formality of the sentence.

日本の首相は安倍晋三です。

O primeiro

Minister of Japan is Shinzo Abe

The Japanese Prime Minister is Shinzo Abe.

• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 首相 - Prime Minister
• は - Topic particle
• 安倍晋三 - Shinzo Abe (name of the current Japanese Prime Minister)
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense