三
JLPT N5Kun-yomi (Japanese reading)
み、み.つ、みっ.つ
On-yomi (Chinese reading)
サン、ゾウ
Meaning
Stroke Count
3 strokes
📝 How to Remember
「三」is one of the simplest kanji with only 3 strokes. Focus on getting the stroke order correct from the start — simple kanji appear in almost every JLPT question.
⚠️ Teacher's Note — On-yomi vs Kun-yomi
「三」has both On-yomi (サン、ゾウ) and Kun-yomi (み、み.つ、みっ.つ). On-yomi is typically used in compound words (two kanji together), while Kun-yomi appears when the kanji stands alone or with hiragana.
🎯 JLPT N5 — How It's Tested
もんだい1 (Kanji Reading) & もんだい2 (Kanji Writing)
「三」typically appears in もんだい1, where you choose the correct reading, and もんだい2, where you choose the correct kanji for a hiragana word. Make sure you can recognize it both ways.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do you read the kanji 「三」?+
On-yomi: サン、ゾウ. Kun-yomi: み、み.つ、みっ.つ.
What does 「三」mean in Japanese?+
「三」means "null". It is a JLPT N5 kanji — one of the most essential characters for beginners.
How many strokes does 「三」have?+
「三」is written with 3 strokes.
Is 「三」on the JLPT N5?+
Yes, 「三」is an official JLPT N5 kanji. Knowing all ~110 N5 kanji is essential for passing the exam.
Practice 「三」 with AI