三つ

• Reading: みっつ
• Romaji: mittsu
• Kanji breakdown: 三 (mi) — three; つ is a native counter suffix
• Pronunciation: /mit.tsɯ/

Meaning

Three (things). The native Japanese counter for three, used for general objects.

Part of the native Japanese counting system. The み in みっつ becomes みっ with a small っ (double consonant) before つ. Commonly used for ordering food, counting items, and listing points in a discussion.

Examples

1. たまごを三つ使います。 I'll use three eggs.
2. 大切なことが三つあります。 There are three important things.
3. 三つ目の角を右に曲がってください。 Please turn right at the third corner.

Usage Guide

Context: ordering, counting objects, giving directions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From the native Japanese み (three) plus the counter suffix つ. The gemination (みっ) developed naturally in spoken Japanese for ease of pronunciation.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal