三 Stroke Order — How to Write 三
三 is written in 3 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 一, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
三 Radical and Character Components
三 is an ideographic compound. Three parallel lines; compare 一 (one) and 二 (two).
Radical: 一 + 2 more strokes
三 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- sān
Meanings of 三 in Chinese
1
sān三
The cardinal number three; often written as '叁' in financial documents to prevent alteration. It signifies 'two plus one'. Used in phrases like 'three-dimensional space' or 'trilogy'.
这部小说是一个三部曲，非常引人入胜。
This novel is a trilogy, very fascinating.
Signifies 'multiple' or 'many times' in certain expressions, implying repetition or a large quantity, often meaning 'thrice' or 'repeatedly'.
在做任何重要决定之前，都应该三思而行。
Before making any important decision, one should always think carefully.
Common Words and Phrases with 三
1
Silly, foolish, or inappropriately eccentric.
小丽今天真是有点三八，问了好多不该问的事情。
Xiao Li was a bit tactless today, asking many inappropriate questions.
2
all trades and professions; various lines of work
俗话说，三百六十行，行行出状元，只要努力钻研，就能在自己的领域取得成就。
As the saying goes, among all the various trades and professions, one can become a master in any of them. As long as you work diligently and study hard, you can achieve success in your chosen field.
3
triplets
这对夫妇非常高兴，因为他们迎来了一对可爱的三胞胎。
The couple was overjoyed as they welcomed a set of adorable triplets.
4
Three times the amount or number; triple.
我们今年的销售额是去年的三倍。
Our sales this year are three times that of last year.
5
A three-sided polygon; a triangle.
孩子们在几何课上画了一个完美的三边形。
Children drew a perfect triangle in geometry class.
6
a place or situation for which no one takes responsibility; a no-man's-land.
那块空地因为产权复杂，成了“三不管”地带，垃圾堆积如山，严重影响了市容。
Because of its complicated property rights, that vacant lot has become a 'no-man's-land' where no one takes responsibility. Trash has piled up like mountains, severely impacting the city's appearance.
7
To know nothing about a matter from beginning to end; to be completely ignorant of something.
他对这件事情的来龙去脉三不知，因此无法参与讨论。
He was completely unaware of the ins and outs of this matter, and thus could not participate in the discussion.
8
A three-pronged spear or staff, often associated with sea gods in ancient mythology or used as a symbol of power.
雕塑中的海神手持三叉戟，威风凛凛。
The sea god in the sculpture holds a trident, looking majestic.
9
A three-way intersection; a junction where three roads meet.
我们在三岔路口停了下来，然后决定往左边走。
We stopped at the three-way intersection and then decided to go left.
10
A veteran statesman who has served three emperors in a row; a long-serving official.
张总监是公司里的三朝元老，他见证了三任CEO的更迭，对公司的发展脉络了如指掌
Director Zhang is considered an 'elder statesman' within the company; he has witnessed the transitions of three different CEOs and possesses an intimate knowledge of the company's development trajectory.
11
12
Sānchǐ refers to: (1) a sword, as it was typically about three chi (ancient Chinese unit of length, roughly equivalent to a foot) long; (2) laws or statutes, as ancient legal texts were written on three-foot bamboo strips.
侠客仗剑，三尺青锋划破长空，英姿飒爽。
The knight-errant wielded his sword, the three-foot sharp blade cut through the sky, displaying a heroic and dashing demeanor.
13
parasites in the human body
传统医学认为，保持肠道健康有助于清除体内的三虫，增进整体福祉。
Traditional medicine believes that maintaining intestinal health helps eliminate the three worms in the body and promotes overall well-being.
14
The three obediences (to father, husband, and son) and four virtues (morality, proper speech, modest manner, and diligent work) prescribed for women in ancient China.
在旧时，许多家庭都要求女儿从小学习三从四德，以便将来成为贤妻良母。
In olden times, many families required their daughters to learn the Three Obediences and Four Virtues from a young age, so that they could become good wives and wise mothers in the future.
15
Eloquent and persuasive speaking ability, often characterized as a glib tongue or smooth talk.
这位推销员凭借三寸不烂之舌，总是能让顾客心甘情愿地购买商品。
This salesman, with his silver tongue, always manages to make customers willingly buy products.
More words with 三
- zài再sān三Over and over again; repeatedly.
- dì第sān三the third (3rd)
- biē瘪sān三Loafer, Vagrant
- dì第sān三chǎn产yè业tertiary industry, service sector
- dì第sān三guó国jì际Third International, Comintern
- sān三nián年Three years, A three-year period
- sān三shí十thirty, the thirtieth
- sān三diǎn点three o'clock, three points
- sān三gè个three
- sān三suì岁three years old
- sān三tiān天three days
- sān三bǎo宝Three Jewels, Three Treasures
- sān三céng层three layers, third floor
- sān三cì次three times, thrice
- sān三fèi废three wastes, industrial pollutants
- sān三fēn分three points, one-third
- sān三hào号No. 3, Number 3
- sān三jiā家three companies, three families
- sān三jiàn键three buttons, three keys
- sān三jūn军armed forces, the three services
Idioms with 三
- sān三chá茶liù六fàn饭be extremely hospitable to guests
- sān三chā差liǎng两cuò错occasional mistakes or unforeseen mishaps
- sān三chā差wǔ五cuò错errors and mishaps
- sān三chǐ尺tóng童zǐ子A very young child
- sān三cùn寸jīn金lián莲tiny bound feet of women
- sān三cùn寸zhī之shé舌eloquent and persuasive speech
- sān三fān番liǎng两cì次repeatedly
- sān三fān番wǔ五cì次repeatedly
- sān三fān翻sì四fù覆frequently changing one's mind
- sān三gāng纲wǔ五cháng常feudal moral principles
- sān三gēng更bàn半yè夜in the middle of the night
- sān三gōng宫liù六yuàn院the imperial harem
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Open the tool →Questions about 三
What does 三 mean in Chinese?
三 (sān) means “The cardinal number three” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 三?
三 is pronounced sān in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 三 have?
三 has 3 strokes.
How do you write 三?
三 is written in 3 strokes, starting from the radical 一. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 三?
The radical of 三 is 一, and 三 is an ideographic compound.
