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叁 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
sānthree (bankers' anti-fraud numeral)m, 8 strokes, radical 厶, rank #14478, Hard
sān(san1) T1
  1. 1three (bankers' anti-fraud numeral)
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March 24, 2026
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.

Strokes8RadicalFrequency#14478DifficultyHard
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

Simplified
8Strokes
Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 叁

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Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 叁

Memory Mnemonic

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.

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.

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.

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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Etymology of 叁

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

Three 三 with accents to prevent forgery

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 叁?

Decomposition of 叁

IDS Structure⿱⿱厶大三
Full Character
=
mou3
top
da4
bottom
San1
Exercise 1 of 3

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 叁?

Write 叁

Practice writing 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.
3
我们可以以2比零或2比1赢得这叁局两胜的比赛.

wǒ mén kě yǐ yǐ2 2 bǐ líng2 huò1 2 bǐ 1 yíng dé zhè sān jú liǎng shèng.

We can win the rubber 2 games to nil or 2 -
4
我们队以叁比零获胜.

wǒ mén duì yǐ sān bǐ líng huò shèng.

Our team won the game three nil / three goals to nil, ie 3 -
5
这个叁角架太不稳了.

zhè gè sān jiǎo jià tài bù wěn le.

The tripod is too shaky.
6
我累坏了.孩子夜里醒了叁次.

wǒ léi huài le. . hái zǐ yè lǐ xǐng le sān.

I'm exhausted. The baby woke up three times in the night.
7
康纳斯以叁负一胜输 ( 给贝克尔 ) 了.

kāng nà sī yǐ sān fù yī shèng shū( ( gěi bèi kè) ěr.

Connors went down ( to Becker ) by three sets to one.

Cultural Notes for 叁

🏮Cultural insight

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.

Word Family of 叁

Words Containing This Character1
sānto join
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 叁 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 叁

Use 叁 in formal financial documents to prevent fraud, while 三 is suitable for everyday conversation.