SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ja-platform-three

A station worker says 'San-ban-sen desu'. What do they mean?

It's platform number three.

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  1. It's the third exit.
  2. It's platform number three. ✔
  3. It's three yen.

Why: Ban means number, and sen means line or track. So san-ban-sen is the platform or track number three. Station staff say it when you ask where a line is.

Huh, didn't know that: Ikebukuro is on the Yamanote Line in NHK's skit, which is at platform three.

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What do you call a train that eats toffee? A chew chew train.
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References

Answer: It's platform number three.. Ban means number, and sen means line or track. So san-ban-sen is the platform or track number three. Station staff say it when you ask where a line is.

  1. NHK WORLD-JAPAN Easy Japanese, Lesson 6 www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/lesson/en/lessons/06.html
    San-ban-sen desu. Platform number three.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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