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

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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:

早起きは三文の得。

Hayaoi wa sanmon no toku

Waking up early is worth more than three coins.

The early bird gets the worm.

• 早起き - 「早起きする」 (hayaoki suru)
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 三文 - "三文" significa "three coins" em japonês, mas é usado para se referir a algo de pouco valor ou baixo custo.
• の - Possession particle in Japanese
• 得 - The term "ganho" or "benefício" in Japanese can be translated as 利益 (りえき, rieki).

犬が三匹います。

Inu ga sanbiki imasu

I have three dogs.

There are three dogs.

• 犬 (inu) - It means "puppy" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 三 (san) - numeral that means "three"
• 匹 (hiki) - counting unit for small animals, such as dogs and cats
• います (imasu) - verb that means "to exist" or "to have" in Japanese