How to write 三
Animated Stroke Order of 三
Learn to write the Chinese character "三" by watching the stroke order animation of "三".
Stroke by Stroke: 三 Writing Order
Master the Chinese character '三' stroke by stroke with visual step-by-step instructions.
Follow the Calligraphy Master: Writing '三' Step-by-Step
Learn the proper way to write the Chinese character '三' through a video tutorial with a calligraphy teacher. Follow the Calligraphy Master's Step-by-Step Guide to Write the Chinese Character '三'. You can download the printable handwriting worksheets below and practice writing together with pen and paper.
Free Printable 三 Handwriting Practice Worksheets
Meaning of 三
Pinyin
sān
Radical
一
Strokes
3
Definition
three / 3
Usage
★★★★★
三 [sān]
1. Number name, the sum of two plus one (often represented as "叁" in official documents and currency).
二加一 (In English: two plus one).
Example: 三维空间 (three-dimensional space).
Example: 三部曲 (three-part series).
Example: 三国 (the Three Kingdoms era in China).
2. Indicates multiple times or plurality.
表示多次或多数 (In English: indicates more than two; many; several).
Example: 三思而行 (think thrice and act).
Example: 三缄其口 (keep silent multiple times).
3. Three times.
三倍 (In English: three times).
Example: 三耦 (two people together make three, hence six).
名 [sān]
1. Refers to the third palace in the nine palaces of ancient Chinese cosmology, located in the eastern direction.
指历中九宫的第三宫，即东方震位 (In English: third palace).
Example: 三五 (In the nine palaces one interprets three lives and five deaths).
2. Refers to ruler, father, teacher.
指君、父、师 (In English: monarch; father; teacher).
Example: 三尊 (the three most respected figures: ruler, father, teacher).
3. Refers to heaven, earth, human.
指天、地、人 (In English: Heaven; Earth; Human being).
Example: 三一 (the legendary three deities: Tianyi, Diyu, Taiyi).
Example: 三才 (Heaven, Earth, Human).
4. Refers to the Three Emperors.
指三皇 (In English: Three Emperors).
Example: 三王 (the three kings of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties).
5. Refers to three stars.
指三颗星 (In English: three stars).
Example: 三台星 (name of a star group).
6. Philosophical term used by ancient Chinese thinkers to describe the harmonious energy that arises from the unity of heaven, earth, and humanity.
哲学用语 (In English: amiableness).
Example: 三一 (Daoist term, the unity of essence, spirit, and energy).
7. A surname.
姓 (In English: surname).
副 [sān]
1. Repeatedly, once more.
屡次、再三 (In English: repeatedly).
See also: 三思 (think thrice), 三复 (repeat thrice).
*同「仨」。 (Also refers to "仨".)
Three Gorges or Yangtze Gorges, namely: Qutang Gorge 瞿塘峽|瞿塘峡[Qu1 tang2 Xia2], Wuxia Gorge 巫峽|巫峡[Wu1 Xia2] and Xiling Gorge 西陵峽|西陵峡[Xi1 ling2 Xia2]
lit. three humble visits to a thatched cottage / cf famous episode in the fictional Romance of Three Kingdoms 三國演義|三国演义 in which Liu Bei 劉備|刘备 recruits Zhuge Liang 諸葛亮|诸葛亮 (the Hidden Dragon 臥龍|卧龙) to his cause by visiting him three times
sanxian, large family of 3-stringed plucked musical instruments, with snakeskin covered wooden soundbox and long neck, used in folk music, opera and Chinese orchestra
lit. a crafty rabbit has three burrows / a sly individual has more than one plan to fall back on (idiom)
lit. say three in the morning but four in the evening (idiom); to change sth that is already settled upon / indecisive / to blow hot and cold
lit. One doesn't visit a temple without a cause. (idiom) / fig. to visit sb with an ulterior motive (esp. to ask for sth) / having a hidden agenda
three principles and five virtues (idiom) / the three rules (ruler guides subject, father guides son and husband guides wife) and five constant virtues of Confucianism (benevolence 仁, righteousness 義|义, propriety 禮|礼, wisdom 智 and fidelity 信)
Same Pronunciation Characters
Same Radical Characters
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Input Method for 三
Pinyin
san1
Wubi
dggg
Cangjie
mmm
Zhengma
cd
Four Corner
10101
Unicode
U+4e09
Stroke Number Category
HSK Level Category