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March 24, 2026
三sān(san1)
The character 三 (sān) means 'three' and is used in both counting and as part of numbers in Chinese. It is a fundamental numeral that appears in various contexts, such as time, quantities, and sequences.
Strokes3Radical一Frequency#233DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the number three is often associated with harmony and balance, as seen in common phrases and sayings. For example, many traditional customs involve groups of three, such as in offerings or celebrations.
Memory Tip
Imagine three tall trees standing side by side, their trunks forming the three lines of the character 三. The sound 'sān' can remind you of 'sun' shining down on the three trees.
Meanings of 三
sān(san1)
1three
23
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By ear
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About 三
三Simplified
3Strokes
一Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#233Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 三
Podcast: 三
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AI Study Notes for 三
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 三 with other similar characters like 二 (èr) for 'two'. It's important to remember that 三 is pronounced with a high level tone (first tone) and is frequently used in counting and basic mathematics. Watch out for tone pronunciation to avoid misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 character, 三 connects to other basic numbers like 一 (yī) for 'one' and 二 (èr) for 'two'. Students should focus on practicing counting and using 三 in simple sentences to build confidence.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake is mispronouncing 三 as 'sì' (four) due to tone confusion. Always practice the first tone to ensure you say 'sān' correctly.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 三
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How Well Do You Know 三?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 三 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 三 (sān) means 'three' and is used in both counting and as part of numbers in Chinese. It is a fundamental numeral that appears in various contexts, such as time, quantities, and sequences.
When to use 三
Learners often confuse 三 with other similar characters like 二 (èr) for 'two'. It's important to remember that 三 is pronounced with a high level tone (first tone) and is frequently used in counting and basic mathematics. Watch out for tone pronunciation to avoid misunderstandings.
What learners get wrong
A frequent mistake is mispronouncing 三 as 'sì' (four) due to tone confusion. Always practice the first tone to ensure you say 'sān' correctly.
Write 三
三
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Practice writing 三 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 三
三 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. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
