三つ
みっつ · mittsu · JLPT N5 · noun
three (things)
三つ = mi (three) + tsu (counter for things); a MITT SUits three fingers
Native Japanese mi means three, the same root as mikka (the 3rd day). The suffix つ is the general counter for things, and the small っ doubles the t: mi + tsu becomes mittsu. Compare hitotsu, futatsu, mittsu.
三 — three horizontal strokes 一 + 一 + 一
三 is a pictographic numeral: three stacked horizontal lines representing the number three, parallel to 一 (one) and 二 (two). The form has been stable since oracle bone script. It carries no phonetic component; the meaning 'three' is direct and visual.