Here's a breakdown of the term:
* "San" means three in Japanese.
* "Sei" refers to generation.
Therefore, "Sansei" literally translates to "third generation." It is specifically used to describe individuals whose grandparents were born in Japan, but their parents and they themselves were born in the United States.
The term is often used in the context of Japanese American history and culture. It is distinct from:
* "Issei" (first generation): Japanese immigrants who were born in Japan.
* "Nisei" (second generation): Children of Issei who were born in the United States.
* "Yonsei" (fourth generation): Children of Sansei who were born in the United States.