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March 24, 2026
叁sān(san1)
The character 叁 (sān) represents the numeral 'three' and is specifically used in banking and financial contexts to prevent fraud. It is a variant of the more commonly used character 参 (cān) but has a distinct, formal application to ensure clarity in financial documents.
Strokes8Radical厶Frequency#14478DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese banking, the use of 叁 reflects the cultural emphasis on precision and security, particularly in financial dealings where clarity can prevent misunderstandings and fraud.
Memory Tip
Imagine writing the number three in a bold, stylized way to emphasize its importance in finance. The character 叁 has a similar look to three horizontal lines stacked together, symbolizing stability and security in monetary transactions.
Meanings of 叁
sān(san1)
1three (bankers' anti-fraud numeral)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 叁
叁Simplified
8Strokes
厶Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 叁
Podcast: 叁
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AI Study Notes for 叁
Usage Notes
While 叁 is used in formal financial contexts, learners should avoid using it in everyday situations where the standard character 三 (sān) is appropriate. Remember that 叁 is often seen in checks and contracts, highlighting its formal register.
HSK Study Tips
As 叁 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, focus on understanding its specific use in finance. Connecting it with other numeral characters like 一 (yī) for one and 二 (èr) for two can help reinforce your understanding of number systems in Mandarin.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 叁 with 三, using 叁 in casual conversation. For example, saying '我有叁个苹果' instead of '我有三个苹果' (I have three apples) is incorrect outside financial contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 叁
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1The giveawayThree 三 with accents to prevent forgery
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 叁? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 叁?
Decomposition of 叁
IDS Structure⿱⿱厶大三
叁Full Character
=
厶mou3
top
大da4
bottom
三San1
Exercise 1 of 3
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 叁?
How to say three (bankers' anti-fraud numeral) in Chinese
“three (bankers' anti-fraud numeral)” in Chinese is叁sān
The character 叁 (sān) represents the numeral 'three' and is specifically used in banking and financial contexts to prevent fraud. It is a variant of the more commonly used character 参 (cān) but has a distinct, formal application to ensure clarity in financial documents.
When to use 叁
While 叁 is used in formal financial contexts, learners should avoid using it in everyday situations where the standard character 三 (sān) is appropriate. Remember that 叁 is often seen in checks and contracts, highlighting its formal register.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 叁 with 三, using 叁 in casual conversation. For example, saying '我有叁个苹果' instead of '我有三个苹果' (I have three apples) is incorrect outside financial contexts.
Write 叁
叁
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Practice writing 叁 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 叁
叁 functions as a number. It almost always combines with a measure word before a noun (三个人, 五本书). Standalone numbers are rare outside of math or counting. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
五 、 四 、 ____ 、 二 、 一 、 零. 我们升空了!
Five, four, three, two, one, zero. We have lift - off!
Example Sentences for 叁 (7)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
五 、 四 、 叁 、 二 、 一 、 零. 我们升空了!
wǔ、 、、 sì、 、、 sān、 、. èr 、 yī 、 líng!
Five, four, three, two, one, zero. We have lift - off!
2
一号球场上的比分是叁十比零.
yī hào qiú cháng shàng de bǐ fēn shì sān shí bǐ líng.
The score in the game on Court One is thirty - love.
