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Word

三 (sān) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 1

三 (sān) is a Chinese word: three. This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.

Meaning of 三

数 shù numeral

three

我有三个苹果。

wǒ yǒu sān gè píng guǒ

I have three apples.

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Word breakdown

三 sān — three

Words with this character (8)
  • 1 再三 zài sān — repeatedly HSK 6
    • 再 again, once more
    • 三 multiple times (three representing 'several')
    Example

    我再三提醒他要小心。

    wǒ zài sān tí xǐng tā yào xiǎo xīn

    I repeatedly reminded him to be careful.

  • 2 三番五次 sān fān wǔ cì — time and again HSK 7
    • 三 three (indicating multiple times)
    • 番 times/occasions (indicating instances)
    • 五 five (emphasizing repetition)
    • 次 times/instances (reinforcing repetition)
    Example

    我三番五次地提醒他，他就是不听。

    wǒ sān fān wǔ cì de tí xǐng tā tā jiù shì bù tīng

    I reminded him time and again, but he just wouldn't listen.

  • 3 三维 sān wéi — three-dimensional HSK 7
    • 三 three (number of dimensions)
    • 维 dimension
    Example

    这个游戏使用三维图形技术。

    zhè ge yóu xì shǐ yòng sān wéi tú xíng jì shù

    This game uses three-dimensional graphics technology.

  • 4 三角 sān jiǎo — triangle HSK 7
    • 三 three (indicating three sides/angles)
    • 角 angle/corner (geometric concept)
    Example

    桌子上有一个三角尺。

    zhuō zi shàng yǒu yí gè sān jiǎo chǐ

    There is a set square on the table.

  • 5 丢三落四 diū sān là sì — forgetful and careless HSK 7
    • 丢 to lose
    • 三 three (symbolic number indicating frequency)
    • 落 to drop, to leave behind
    • 四 four (symbolic number indicating frequency)
    Example

    他总是丢三落四，今天又忘带钥匙了。

    tā zǒng shì diū sān là sì jīn tiān yòu wàng dài yào shi le

    He's always forgetful and careless; today he forgot to bring his keys again.

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Structure & writing
1 三 sān — three (the number 2+1)

三 is not used as a component in any other character.

三 is an atomic character — it does not decompose further.

Stroke order