Sansei

or san·sei

[ sahn-sey, sahn-sey ]

noun

1. a grandchild of Japanese immigrants to the U.S. or Canada.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sansei¹

1940–45; < Japanese: third generation, earlier san-seĩ < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese sān three + · shēng birth

Example Sentences

A sansei buddy of mine once invited me over in the mid-1960s.

From Los Angeles Times

I was a youngster in the tour, belonging to the sansei, or third generation, born mostly after the war.

From Los Angeles Times

They grooved to the music in bell-bottomed trousers, wide-lapeled shirts and platform shoes, said Harry Manaka, author of “Chronicles of a Sansei Rocker” and a former owner of the bar.

From Los Angeles Times

As I have heard from so many other sansei, or third-generation Japanese Americans, my parents as well as theirs did not want to talk about “those days” in the camps.

From Seattle Times

We, as sansei, were urged to “fit in” to the American way of life and not to draw unwanted attention to ourselves.

From Seattle Times