pīnyīn
pin1yin1
ㄓㄨㄧㄣ
simplified
traditional
三
三
san1
surname San
三
三
san1
three; 3
strokes
3
radical
strokes after radical
2
阿三
阿三
a1 san1
(derog.) an Indian
安倍晋三
安倍晉三
an1 bei4 jin4 san1
Abe Shinzo (1954-), Japanese LDP politician, prime minister 2006-2007 and from 2012
八二三炮战
八二三砲戰
ba1 er4 san1 pao4 zhan4
bombardment of Kinmen by PRC forces that started August 23rd 1958, also called second Taiwan strait crisis
巴三览四
巴三覽四
ba1 san1 lan3 si4
to talk about this and that (idiom); to ramble incoherently
百慕大三角
百慕大三角
bai3 mu4 da4 san1 jiao3
Bermuda Triangle
半夜三更
半夜三更
ban4 ye4 san1 geng1
in the depth of night; late at night
奔三
奔三
ben1 san1
Pentium III microprocessor, abbr. for 奔騰三|奔腾三
奔三
奔三
ben1 san1
to be pushing 30
瘪三
癟三
bie1 san1
a wretched-looking tramp who lives by begging or stealing
冰冻三尺，非一日之寒
冰凍三尺，非一日之寒
bing1 dong4 san1 chi3 - fei1 yi1 ri4 zhi1 han2
three feet of ice does not form in a single day (idiom); Rome wasn't built in a day
丙三醇
丙三醇
bing3 san1 chun2
glycerine; same as 甘油
不等边三角形
不等邊三角形
bu4 deng3 bian1 san1 jiao3 xing2
scalene triangle
不管三七二十一
不管三七二十一
bu4 guan3 san1 qi1 er4 shi2 yi1
regardless of the consequences; recklessly relying on a hopelessly optimistic forecast
不规则三角形
不規則三角形
bu4 gui1 ze2 san1 jiao3 xing2
scalene triangle (math.)
不三不四
不三不四
bu4 san1 bu4 si4
dubious; shady; neither one thing nor the other; neither fish nor fowl; nondescript
不孝有三，无后为大
不孝有三，無後為大
bu4 xiao4 you3 san1 - wu2 hou4 wei2 da4
There are three ways to be unfilial; having no sons is the worst. (citation from Mencius 孟子)
长江三角洲
長江三角洲
chang2 jiang1 san1 jiao3 zhou1
长 江 三 角 洲 cháng jiāng sān jiǎo zhōu
Yangtze River Delta
长江三角洲经济区
長江三角洲經濟區
chang2 jiang1 san1 jiao3 zhou1 jing1 ji4 qu1
Yangtze River Delta Economic Zone (economic region including Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu)
长江三峡
長江三峽
chang2 jiang1 san1 xia2
Three Gorges or Yangtze Gorges, namely: Qutang Gorge 瞿塘峽|瞿塘峡, Wuxia Gorge 巫峽|巫峡 and Xiling Gorge 西陵峽|西陵峡
长三
長三
chang2 san1
(old) high class prostitute
长三角
長三角
chang2 san1 jiao3
Yangtze River Delta; abbr. for 長江三角洲|长江三角洲
长三角经济区
長三角經濟區
chang2 san1 jiao3 jing1 ji4 qu1
Yangtze River Delta Economic Zone (economic region including Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu)
初三
初三
chu1 san1
third year in junior middle school
传三过四
傳三過四
chuan2 san1 guo4 si4
to spread rumors; to gossip
垂涎三尺
垂涎三尺
chui2 xian2 san1 chi3
to drool (over) (idiom); to yearn for; to covet; to crave
春秋三传
春秋三傳
chun1 qiu1 san1 zhuan4
Three Commentaries on the Spring and Autumn Annals 春秋, including Mr Gongyang's annals 公羊傳|公羊传, Mr Guliang's annals 穀梁傳|谷梁传 and Mr Zuo's annals or Zuo Zhuan 左傳|左传
雌三醇
雌三醇
ci2 san1 chun2
estriol
此地无银三百两
此地無銀三百兩
ci3 di4 wu2 yin2 san1 bai3 liang3
lit. 300 silver taels not hidden here (idiom); fig. to reveal what one intends to hide
大江健三郎
大江健三郎
da4 jiang1 jian4 san1 lang2
Oe Kenzaburo (1935-) Japanese novelist and 1994 Nobel laureate
大年三十
大年三十
da4 nian2 san1 shi2
last day of the lunar year; Chinese New Year's Eve
大三
大三
da4 san1
third-year university student
大三度
大三度
da4 san1 du4
major third (musical interval)
大三和弦
大三和弦
da4 san1 he2 xian2
major triad do-mi-so
大小三度
大小三度
da4 xiao3 san1 du4
major and minor third (musical interval)
等边三角形
等邊三角形
deng3 bian1 san1 jiao3 xing2
equilateral triangle
等腰三角形
等腰三角形
deng3 yao1 san1 jiao3 xing2
isosceles triangle
低三下四
低三下四
di1 san1 xia4 si4
servile
第三产业
第三產業
di4 san1 chan3 ye4
tertiary sector of industry
第三帝国
第三帝國
di4 san1 di4 guo2
Third Reich, Nazi regime (1933-1945)
第三方
第三方
di4 san1 fang1
third party
第三国际
第三國際
di4 san1 guo2 ji4
see 共產國際|共产国际
第三纪
第三紀
di4 san1 ji4
third period; tertiary (geological era since the extinction of the dinosaurs at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary 65 million years ago)
第三季度
第三季度
di4 san1 ji4 du4
third quarter (of financial year)
第三声
第三聲
di4 san1 sheng1
third tone in Mandarin; falling-rising tone
第三十
第三十
di4 san1 shi2
thirtieth
第三世界
第三世界
di4 san1 shi4 jie4
Third World
第三位
第三位
di4 san1 wei4
third place
地三鲜
地三鮮
di4 san1 xian1
dish consisting of stir-fried potato, eggplant and green pepper
第三者
第三者
di4 san1 zhe3
sb who is romantically involved with sb already in a committed relationship; the other woman; the other man; third person; third party (in dispute); disinterested party; number three in a list
第三状态
第三狀態
di4 san1 zhuang4 tai4
"third state", borderline state between health and disease
颠三倒四
顛三倒四
dian1 san1 dao3 si4
confused; disorderly; incoherent
丢三落四
丟三落四
diu1 san1 la4 si4
forgetful; empty-headed
东方三博士
東方三博士
dong1 fang1 san1 bo2 shi4
the Magi; the Three Wise Kings from the East in the biblical nativity story
东华三院
東華三院
dong1 hua2 san1 yuan4
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (Hong Kong)
东三省
東三省
dong1 san1 sheng3
the three provinces of Northeast China, namely: Liaoning Province 遼寧省|辽宁省, Jilin Province 吉林省 and Heilongjiang Province 黑龍江省|黑龙江省
二氯异三聚氰酸钠
二氯異三聚氰酸鈉
er4 lv4 yi4 san1 ju4 qing2 suan1 na4
sodium dichloroisocyanurate
21三体综合症
21三體綜合症
er4 shi2 yi1 san1 ti3 zong1 he2 zheng4
2 1 三 体 综 合 症 èr shí yī sān tǐ zōng hé zhèng
trisomy; Down's syndrome
泛珠江三角
泛珠江三角
fan4 zhu1 jiang1 san1 jiao3
the Pan-Pearl river delta (economic zone including the 5 provinces around Guangzhou and Hong Kong)
泛珠三角
泛珠三角
fan4 zhu1 san1 jiao3
Pan-Pearl River delta; The nine provinces of Southern China around Guangzhou and the Pearl River delta; South China
封三
封三
feng1 san1
inside back cover
抚远三角洲
撫遠三角洲
fu3 yuan3 san1 jiao3 zhou1
Bolshoi Ussuriisk Island in the Heilongjiang or Amur river, at mouth of the Ussuri River opposite Khabarovsk; same as Heixiazi Island 黑瞎子島|黑瞎子岛
富不过三代
富不過三代
fu4 bu4 guo4 san1 dai4
wealth never survives three generations (idiom)
甘油三脂
甘油三脂
gan1 you2 san1 zhi1
triglyceride
甘油三酯
甘油三酯
gan1 you2 san1 zhi3
triglyceride
隔三差五
隔三差五
ge2 san1 cha4 wu3
every few days (idiom)
隔三岔五
隔三岔五
ge2 san3 cha4 wu3
see 隔三差五|隔三差五
肱三头肌
肱三頭肌
gong1 san1 tou2 ji1
triceps brachii (back of the upper arm)
公司三明治
公司三明治
gong1 si1 san1 ming2 zhi4
club sandwich
勾三搭四
勾三搭四
gou1 san1 da1 si4
to make hanky-panky; to seduce women
管他三七二十一
管他三七二十一
guan3 ta1 san1 qi1 er4 shi2 yi1
who cares; no matter what; regardless of the consequences
横三竖四
橫三豎四
heng2 san1 shu4 si4
in disorder; in a tremendous mess
话到嘴边留三分
話到嘴邊留三分
hua4 dao4 zui3 bian1 liu2 san1 fen1
A still tongue makes a wise head. (idiom)
黄脚三趾鹑
黃腳三趾鶉
huang2 jiao3 san1 zhi3 chun2
(bird species of China) yellow-legged buttonquail (Turnix tanki)
黄石公三略
黃石公三略
huang2 shi2 gong1 san1 lve4
“Three Strategies of Huang Shigong”, also known as Taigong Bingfa 太公兵法, one of the Seven Military Classics of ancient China 武經七書|武经七书, variously attributed to Jiang Ziya 薑子牙|姜子牙, Huang Shigong 黃石公|黄石公 or an anonymous author
火冒三丈
火冒三丈
huo3 mao4 san1 zhang4
to get really angry
货比三家
貨比三家
huo4 bi3 san1 jia1
to comparison shop (idiom); comparison shopping
货比三家不吃亏
貨比三家不吃虧
huo4 bi3 san1 jia1 bu4 chi1 kui1
shop around first and you won't get ripped off (idiom)
货问三家不吃亏
貨問三家不吃虧
huo4 wen4 san1 jia1 bu4 chi1 kui1
see 貨比三家不吃虧|货比三家不吃亏
几次三番
幾次三番
ji3 ci4 san1 fan1
lit. twice then three times (idiom); fig. repeatedly; over and over again
建三江
建三江
jian4 san1 jiang1
Jiansanjiang, large-scale agricultural development in Sanjiang river plain in Heilongjiang
狡兔三窟
狡兔三窟
jiao3 tu4 san1 ku1
lit. a crafty rabbit has three burrows; a sly individual has more than one plan to fall back on (idiom)
接二连三
接二連三
jie1 er4 lian2 san1
one after another (idiom); in quick succession
金背三趾啄木鸟
金背三趾啄木鳥
jin1 bei4 san1 zhi3 zhuo2 mu4 niao3
(bird species of China) common flameback (Dinopium javanense)
金三角
金三角
jin1 san1 jiao3
Golden Triangle (Southeast Asia)
金泳三
金泳三
jin1 yong3 san1
Kim Young-sam (1927-), South Korean politician, president 1993-1998
九三学社
九三學社
jiu3 san1 xue2 she4
Jiusan Society, one of the eight political parties of the CPC
举一反三
舉一反三
ju3 yi1 fan3 san1
to raise one and infer three; to deduce many things from one case (idiom)
开三次方
開三次方
kai1 san1 ci4 fang1
cube root; to extract a cube root
狂三诈四
狂三詐四
kuang2 san1 zha4 si4
to deceive and swindle across the board (idiom)
莱齐耶三世
萊齊耶三世
lai2 qi2 ye1 san1 shi4
Letsie III of Lesotho
老三篇
老三篇
lao3 san1 pian1
Lao San Pian, three short essays written by Mao Zedong before the PRC was established
老三色
老三色
lao3 san1 se4
the three plain colors used for clothing in the PRC in the 1960s: black, gray and blue
礼拜三
禮拜三
li3 bai4 san1
Wednesday
连三并四
連三併四
lian2 san1 bing4 si4
one after the other; in succession (idiom)
两岸三地
兩岸三地
liang3 an4 san1 di4
China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau (media term used esp. since 1997)
两面三刀
兩面三刀
liang3 mian4 san1 dao1
two-faced, three knives (idiom); double-cross; double dealing and back stabbing
林三趾鹑
林三趾鶉
lin2 san1 zhi3 chun2
(bird species of China) common buttonquail (Turnix sylvaticus)
六韬三略
六韜三略
liu4 tao1 san1 lve4
"Six Secret Strategic Teachings" 六韜|六韬 and "Three Strategies of Huang Shigong" 三略, two of the Seven Military Classics of ancient China 武經七書|武经七书, attributed to Jiang Ziya 薑子牙|姜子牙
陆海空三军
陸海空三軍
lu4 hai3 kong1 san1 jun1
army, navy, air force
马三家
馬三家
ma3 san1 jia1
Masanjia town in Yuhong District 于洪區|于洪区 in Liaoning, known for its labor camp where Falun Gong practitioners etc are believed to have been detained and tortured
马三立
馬三立
ma3 san1 li4
Ma Sanli (1914-2003), Chinese comedian
毛邓三
毛鄧三
mao2 deng4 san1
Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory & the Three Represents; abbr. for 毛澤東思想|毛泽东思想, 鄧小平理論|邓小平理论 and 三個代表|三个代表
湄公河三角洲
湄公河三角洲
mei2 gong1 he2 san1 jiao3 zhou1
Mekong River delta
明十三陵
明十三陵
ming2 shi2 san1 ling2
the Ming tombs (mausoleum park of the Ming emperors in Changping district of Beijing)
莫三比克
莫三比克
mo4 san1 bi3 ke4
Mozambique (Tw)
南三角座
南三角座
nan2 san1 jiao3 zuo4
Triangulum Australe (constellation)
年三十
年三十
nian2 san1 shi2
last day of the lunar year; Chinese New Year's Eve
帕斯卡三角形
帕斯卡三角形
pa4 si1 ka3 san1 jiao3 xing2
Pascal's Triangle (math.)
偏三轮
偏三輪
pian1 san1 lun2
old-style cycle with lateral third wheel and passenger seat
偏三轮摩托车
偏三輪摩托車
pian1 san1 lun2 mo2 tuo1 che1
motorbike with sidecar
拼命三郎
拼命三郎
pin1 ming4 san1 lang2
brave man, willing to risk his life
其三
其三
qi2 san1
thirdly; the third
乾嘉三大家
乾嘉三大家
qian2 jia1 san1 da4 jia1
Three great poets of the Qianlong and Jiaqing era (1735-1820), namely: Yuan Mei 袁枚, Jiang Shiquan 蔣士銓|蒋士铨 and Zhao Yi 趙翼|赵翼
前三甲
前三甲
qian2 san1 jia3
top three
钱三强
錢三強
qian2 san1 qiang2
Qian Sanqiang
染色体三倍体症
染色體三倍體症
ran3 se4 ti3 san1 bei4 ti3 zheng4
trisomy
绕梁三日
繞梁三日
rao4 liang2 san1 ri4
reverberates around the rafters for three days (idiom); fig. sonorous and resounding (esp. of singing voice)
人有三急
人有三急
ren2 you3 san1 ji2
(jocularly) to need to answer the call of nature
入木三分
入木三分
ru4 mu4 san1 fen1
written in a forceful hand; penetrating; profound
三C
三C
san1 -
see 3C
三P
三P
san1 -
(slang) threesome
三K党
三K黨
san1 - dang3
Ku Klux Klan; KKK
三阿姨
三阿姨
san1 a1 yi2
auntie, third eldest of sisters in mother's family
三拗汤
三拗湯
san1 ao4 tang1
san'ao decoction (TCM)
三八
三八
san1 ba1
International Women's Day 婦女節|妇女节, 8th March; foolish; stupid
三八线
三八線
san1 ba1 xian4
38th parallel, forming the DMZ border between North and South Korea
三百六十行
三百六十行
san1 bai3 liu4 shi2 hang2
all walks of life (idiom); every trade
三班倒
三班倒
san1 ban1 dao3
three-shift system (work rostering)
三包
三包
san1 bao1
"three-guarantee service": repair, exchange, refund
三胞胎
三胞胎
san1 bao1 tai1
triplets
三宝
三寶
san1 bao3
the Three Precious Treasures of Buddhism, namely: the Buddha 佛, the Dharma 法 (his teaching), and the Sangha 僧 (his monastic order)
三宝鸟
三寶鳥
san1 bao3 niao3
(bird species of China) oriental dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)
三宝太监
三寶太監
san1 bao3 tai4 jian4
Sanbao Eunuch, official title of Zheng He 鄭和|郑和; also written 三保太監|三保太监
三北
三北
san1 bei3
China's three northern regions, 東北|东北, 華北|华北 and 西北
三倍
三倍
san1 bei4
triple
三边形
三邊形
san1 bian1 xing2
triangle
三不
三不
san1 bu4
the three no's (abbreviated catchphrase)
三不管
三不管
san1 bu4 guan3
of undetermined status; unregulated
三部曲
三部曲
san1 bu4 qu3
trilogy
三不五时
三不五時
san1 bu4 wu3 shi2
(Tw) from time to time; frequently
三不沾
三不沾
san1 bu4 zhan1
air ball (basketball)
三不知
三不知
san1 bu4 zhi1
to know nothing about the beginning, the middle or the end; to know nothing at all
三曹
三曹
san1 cao2
the Three Caos (Cao Cao 曹操 and his sons Cao Pi 曹丕 and Cao Zhi 曹植), who established the Wei or Cao Wei dynasty 曹魏, and were all three noted poets and calligraphers
三叉戟
三叉戟
san1 cha1 ji3
trident
三叉神经
三叉神經
san1 cha1 shen2 jing1
trigeminal nerve
三茶六饭
三茶六飯
san1 cha2 liu4 fan4
lit. to offer three kinds of tea and six different dishes; to be extremely considerate towards guests (idiom)
三岔口
三岔口
san1 cha4 kou3
At the Crossroads, famous opera, based on a story from 水滸傳|水浒传
三长两短
三長兩短
san1 chang2 liang3 duan3
unexpected misfortune; unexpected accident; sudden death
三重
三重
san1 chong2
Sanchong or Sanch'ung city in New Taipei City 新北市, Taiwan; Mie Prefecture in central Japan
三重
三重
san1 chong2
treble
三重市
三重市
san1 chong2 shi4
Sanchong or Sanch'ung city in New Taipei City 新北市, Taiwan
三重县
三重縣
san1 chong2 xian4
Mi'e prefecture in central Japan
三重奏
三重奏
san1 chong2 zou4
trio (musical ensemble)
三仇
三仇
san1 chou2
animosity or resentment towards three groups (the bureaucrats, the wealthy, and the police) due to perceived abuse of power
三春
三春
san1 chun1
the three spring months
三次
三次
san1 ci4
third; three times; (math.) degree three, cubic (equation)
三次方
三次方
san1 ci4 fang1
cube (third power, math.)
三次方程
三次方程
san1 ci4 fang1 cheng2
cubic equation (math.)
三次幂
三次冪
san1 ci4 mi4
cube (third power, math.)
三次曲线
三次曲線
san1 ci4 qu1 xian4
cubic curve (geometry)
三次元
三次元
san1 ci4 yuan2
three-dimensional; the real world (cf. 二次元)
三从四德
三從四德
san1 cong2 si4 de2
Confucian moral injunctions for women, namely: obey in turn three men father, husband and son, plus the four virtues of morality 德, physical charm 容, propriety in speech 言 and efficiency in needlework 功
三催四请
三催四請
san1 cui1 si4 qing3
to coax and plead
三寸不烂之舌
三寸不爛之舌
san1 cun4 bu4 lan4 zhi1 she2
to have a silver tongue; to have the gift of the gab
三大纪律八项注意
三大紀律八項注意
san1 da4 ji4 lv4 ba1 xiang4 zhu4 yi4
the Three Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention, a military doctrine issued in 1928 by Mao Zedong for the Red Army, which included a number of injunctions demanding high standards of behavior and respect for civilians during wartime
三代
三代
san1 dai4
three generations of a family; the three earliest dynasties (Xia, Shang and Zhou)
三代同堂
三代同堂
san1 dai4 tong2 tang2
three generations under one roof
三岛由纪夫
三島由紀夫
san1 dao3 you2 ji4 fu1
Mishima Yukio (1925-1970), Japanese author, pen name of (平岡公威|平冈公威, Hiraoka Kimitake)
三道眉草鹀
三道眉草鵐
san1 dao4 mei2 cao3 wu2
(bird species of China) meadow bunting (Emberiza cioides)
三得利
三得利
san1 de2 li4
Suntory, Japanese beverage company
三等分
三等分
san1 deng3 fen1
trisection (math.); trisecting an angle
三等分角
三等分角
san1 deng3 fen1 jiao3
trisection (math.); trisecting an angle
三地门
三地門
san1 di4 men2
Santimen township in Pingtung County 屏東縣|屏东县, Taiwan
三地门乡
三地門鄉
san1 di4 men2 xiang1
Santimen township in Pingtung County 屏東縣|屏东县, Taiwan
三点全露
三點全露
san1 dian3 quan2 lou4
(slang) naked; nude
三点水
三點水
san1 dian3 shui3
name of "water" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 85); see also 氵
三貂角
三貂角
san1 diao1 jiao3
Cape San Diego or Santiao, easternmost point of Taiwan Island
三叠纪
三疊紀
san1 die2 ji4
Triassic (geological period 250-205m years ago)
三迭纪
三迭紀
san1 die2 ji4
Triassic (geological period 250-205m years ago); also written 三疊紀|三叠纪
三都水族自治县
三都水族自治縣
san1 du1 shui3 zu2 zi4 zhi4 xian4
Sandu Shuizu autonomous county in Qiannan Buyei and Miao autonomous prefecture 黔南州, Guizhou
三都县
三都縣
san1 du1 xian4
Sandu Shuizu autonomous county in Qiannan Buyei and Miao autonomous prefecture 黔南州, Guizhou
三度
三度
san1 du4
third (musical interval)
三段论
三段論
san1 duan4 lun4
syllogism (deduction in logic)
三对三斗牛
三對三鬥牛
san1 dui4 san1 dou4 niu2
three-on-three basketball game
三法司
三法司
san1 fa3 si1
the three judicial chief ministries (in imperial China)
三藩叛乱
三藩叛亂
san1 fan1 pan4 luan4
rebellion against the Qing of 1670s, pacified by Kangxi
三藩市
三藩市
san1 fan1 shi4
San Francisco (California)
三番五次
三番五次
san1 fan1 wu3 ci4
over and over again (idiom)
三藩之乱
三藩之亂
san1 fan1 zhi1 luan4
Three feudatories rebellion against Qing 1673-1681 during the reign of Kangxi
三反
三反
san1 fan3
"Three Anti" campaign (anti-corruption, anti-waste, anti-bureaucracy), early PRC purge of 1951-52
三反运动
三反運動
san1 fan3 yun4 dong4
"Three Anti" campaign (anti-corruption, anti-waste, anti-bureaucracy), early PRC purge of 1951-52
三废
三廢
san1 fei4
three types of waste product, namely: waste water 廢水|废水, exhaust gas 廢氣|废气, industrial slag 廢渣|废渣
三分
三分
san1 fen1
somewhat; to some degree
三分熟
三分熟
san1 fen1 shu2
medium rare (of steak)
三分之一
三分之一
san1 fen1 zhi1 yi1
one third
三分钟热度
三分鐘熱度
san1 fen1 zhong1 re4 du4
brief period of enthusiasm; flash in the pan
三伏
三伏
san1 fu2
three periods forming the hottest periods of summer, from mid-July to mid-August, namely: 初伏 (mid-July), 中伏 (late July to early August), 末伏 (mid-August)
三氟化硼
三氟化硼
san1 fu2 hua4 peng2
boron trifluoride
三伏天
三伏天
san1 fu2 tian1
three periods forming the hottest periods of summer, from mid-July to mid-August, namely: 初伏 (mid-July), 中伏 (late July to early August), 末伏 (mid-August)
三纲五常
三綱五常
san1 gang1 wu3 chang2
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)
三个臭皮匠，顶个诸葛亮
三個臭皮匠，頂個諸葛亮
san1 ge4 chou4 pi2 jiang5 - ding3 ge4 zhu1 ge3 liang4
lit. three ignorant cobblers add up to a genius (idiom); fig. collective wisdom; wisdom of the masses exceeds that of any individual
三个臭皮匠，合成一个诸葛亮
三個臭皮匠，合成一個諸葛亮
san1 ge4 chou4 pi2 jiang5 - he2 cheng2 yi1 ge4 zhu1 ge3 liang4
lit. three ignorant cobblers add up to a genius (idiom); fig. collective wisdom
三个臭皮匠，赛过一个诸葛亮
三個臭皮匠，賽過一個諸葛亮
san1 ge4 chou4 pi2 jiang5 - sai4 guo4 yi1 ge4 zhu1 ge3 liang4
lit. three ignorant cobblers add up to a genius (idiom); fig. collective wisdom; wisdom of the masses exceeds that of any individual
三个臭皮匠，赛过诸葛亮
三個臭皮匠，賽過諸葛亮
san1 ge4 chou4 pi2 jiang5 - sai4 guo4 zhu1 ge3 liang4
lit. three ignorant cobblers add up to a genius (idiom); fig. collective wisdom; wisdom of the masses exceeds that of any individual
三个臭皮匠，胜过一个诸葛亮
三個臭皮匠，勝過一個諸葛亮
san1 ge4 chou4 pi2 jiang5 - sheng4 guo4 yi1 ge4 zhu1 ge3 liang4
variant of 三個臭皮匠，賽過一個諸葛亮|三个臭皮匠，赛过一个诸葛亮
三个代表
三個代表
san1 ge4 dai4 biao3
the Three Represents enunciated by Jiang Zemin 江澤民|江泽民 as the duty of the Chinese Communist party in 2001, namely: to represent productivity of an advanced society, forward progress of advanced culture and the fundamental interests of the people
三个女人一个墟
三個女人一個墟
san1 ge4 nv3 ren2 yi1 ge4 xu1
three women makes a crowd
三个女人一台戏
三個女人一臺戲
san1 ge5 nv3 ren2 yi1 tai2 xi4
three women are enough for a drama (idiom)
三个世界
三個世界
san1 ge5 shi4 jie4
the Three Worlds (as proposed by Mao Zedong), i.e. the superpowers (USA and USSR), other wealthy countries (UK, France, Japan etc), and the developing countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America
三更
三更
san1 geng1
third of the five night watch periods 23:00-01:00 (old); midnight; also pr.
三更半夜
三更半夜
san1 geng1 ban4 ye4
in the depth of the night; very late at night
三公经费
三公經費
san1 gong1 jing1 fei4
"three public expenditures" of the PRC government, i.e. air travel, food and entertainment, and public vehicles
三公消费
三公消費
san1 gong1 xiao1 fei4
see 三公經費|三公经费
三姑六婆
三姑六婆
san1 gu1 liu4 po2
women with disreputable or illegal professions (idiom)
三顾茅庐
三顧茅廬
san1 gu4 mao2 lu2
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
三官大帝
三官大帝
san1 guan1 da4 di4
the three gods in charge of heaven, earth and water (Daoism)
三光
三光
san1 guang1
the sun, the moon, and the stars
三光政策
三光政策
san1 guang1 zheng4 ce4
Three Alls Policy (kill all, burn all, loot all), Japanese policy in China during WWII
三归依
三歸依
san1 gui1 yi1
the Three Pillars of Faith (Buddha, dharma, sangha); see also 三寶|三宝
三跪九叩
三跪九叩
san1 gui4 jiu3 kou4
to kneel three times and kowtow nine times (formal etiquette on meeting the emperor)
三国
三國
san1 guo2
Three Kingdoms period (220-280) in Chinese history; several Three Kingdoms periods in Korean history, esp. from 1st century AD to unification under Silla 新羅|新罗 in 658
三国史记
三國史記
san1 guo2 shi3 ji4
History of Three Kingdoms (Korean: Samguk Sagi), the oldest extant Korean history, compiled under Kim Busik 金富軾|金富轼 in 1145. The three kingdoms are Goguryeo 高句麗|高句丽, Baekje 百濟|百济, Silla 新羅|新罗.
三国演义
三國演義
san1 guo2 yan3 yi4
Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong 羅貫中|罗贯中, one of the Four Classic Novels of Chinese literature; a fictional account of the Three Kingdoms at the break-up of the Han around 200 AD, consistently portraying Liu Bei's Shu Han 劉備, 蜀漢|刘备, 蜀汉 as vi
三国志
三國志
san1 guo2 zhi4
History of the Three Kingdoms, fourth of the 24 dynastic histories 二十四史, composed by Chen Shou 陳壽|陈寿 in 289 during Jin Dynasty 晉朝|晋朝, 65 scrolls
三号电池
三號電池
san1 hao4 dian4 chi2
C size battery (PRC); AA battery (Taiwan); see 二號電池|二号电池 (C battery in Taiwan) and 五號電池|五号电池 (AA battery in PRC)
三号木杆
三號木桿
san1 hao4 mu4 gan1
spoon (golf)
三河
三河
san1 he2
Three rivers; Sanhe county level city in Langfang 廊坊, Hebei
三合会
三合會
san1 he2 hui4
triad, Chinese crime gang; triad society, anti-Manchu secret society in Qing-dynasty China
三河市
三河市
san1 he2 shi4
Sanhe county level city in Langfang 廊坊, Hebei
三合土
三合土
san1 he2 tu3
mortar; concrete; cement
三和弦
三和弦
san1 he2 xian2
triad; musical chord of three notes, such as major triad do-mi-so
三河县
三河縣
san1 he2 xian4
Sanhe county in Beijing
三合星
三合星
san1 he2 xing1
triple star system
三合一
三合一
san1 he2 yi1
three in one; triple
三合一疫苗
三合一疫苗
san1 he2 yi1 yi4 miao2
DTP vaccination
三合院
三合院
san1 he2 yuan4
residence consisting of structures surrounding a courtyard on three sides
三皇
三皇
san1 huang2
Three Sovereigns, between Gods and Emperors in third millennium BC; usually listed as Suiren 燧人, Fuxi 伏羲, trapping and writing, Shennong or Farmer God 神農|神农
三皇炮捶
三皇炮捶
san1 huang2 pao4 chui2
Paochui - "Three Emperor Cannon Punch" (Chinese Martial Art)
三皇五帝
三皇五帝
san1 huang2 wu3 di4
three sovereigns 三皇 and five emperors 五帝 of myth and legend; the earliest system of Chinese historiography
三魂
三魂
san1 hun2
three immortal souls in Daoism, representing spirit and intellect
三魂七魄
三魂七魄
san1 hun2 qi1 po4
three immortal souls and seven mortal forms in Daoism, contrasting the spiritual and carnal side of man
三级
三級
san1 ji2
grade 3; third class; category C
三极管
三極管
san1 ji2 guan3
triode (vacuum tube or transistor)
三级片
三級片
san1 ji2 pian4
third category movie (containing sexual or violent content)
三级士官
三級士官
san1 ji2 shi4 guan1
staff sergeant
三级跳
三級跳
san1 ji2 tiao4
triple jump (athletics); hop, skip and jump
三级跳远
三級跳遠
san1 ji2 tiao4 yuan3
triple jump (athletics); hop, skip and jump
三家村
三家村
san1 jia1 cun1
lit. village of three households; name of essay column in Beijing newspaper from 1961-1966, written by Deng Tuo 鄧拓|邓拓, Wu Han 吳晗|吴晗 and Liao Mosha 廖沫沙, criticized as anti-party during the Cultural Revolution
三甲
三甲
san1 jia3
3rd rank of candidates who passed the imperial examination
三价
三價
san1 jia4
trivalent
三驾马车
三駕馬車
san1 jia4 ma3 che1
troika
三尖杉酯碱
三尖杉酯鹼
san1 jian1 shan1 zhi3 jian3
harringtonine (chemistry)
三键
三鍵
san1 jian4
triple bond (chemistry); triple link
三件套式西装
三件套式西裝
san1 jian4 tao4 shi4 xi1 zhuang1
three-piece suit
三江并流
三江並流
san1 jiang1 bing4 liu2
Three Parallel Rivers National Park, in mountainous northwest Yunnan World Heritage protected area: the three rivers are Nujian 怒江 or Salween, Jinsha 金沙江 or upper reaches of Changjiang and Lancang 澜沧江 or Mekong
三江侗族自治县
三江侗族自治縣
san1 jiang1 dong4 zu2 zi4 zhi4 xian4
Sanjiang Dong autonomous county in Liuzhou 柳州, Guangxi
三江平原
三江平原
san1 jiang1 ping2 yuan2
Sanjiang or Three rivers plain in Heilongjiang, vast wetland watered by Heilongjiang 黑龍江|黑龙江 or Amur, Songhua 松花江, Ussuri 烏蘇里江|乌苏里江
三江生态旅游区
三江生態旅遊區
san1 jiang1 sheng1 tai4 lv3 you2 qu1
Sanjiang ecological tourist area in Wenchuan county 汶川县, northwest Sichuan
三江源
三江源
san1 jiang1 yuan2
Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve, high plateau region of Qinghai containing the headwaters of Changjiang or Yangtze, Huanghe or Yellow River and Lancang or Mekong River
三焦
三焦
san1 jiao1
(TCM) the three truncal cavities (thoracic, abdominal and pelvic), known as the "triple heater" or "San Jiao"
三膲
三膲
san1 jiao1
variant of 三焦
三角
三角
san1 jiao3
triangle
三角板
三角板
san1 jiao3 ban3
set square; triangle (for drawing right angles)
三角测量法
三角測量法
san1 jiao3 ce4 liang2 fa3
triangulation (surveying)
三角凳
三角凳
san1 jiao3 deng4
three-legged stool
三角法
三角法
san1 jiao3 fa3
trigonometry (math.)
三角腹带
三角腹帶
san1 jiao3 fu4 dai4
athletic supporter
三角关系
三角關係
san1 jiao3 guan1 xi4
triangle relationship; a love triangle
三角函数
三角函數
san1 jiao3 han2 shu4
trigonometric function
三角肌
三角肌
san1 jiao3 ji1
deltoid muscle (over the shoulder)
三脚架
三腳架
san1 jiao3 jia4
tripod; derrick crane
三角巾
三角巾
san1 jiao3 jin1
sling (for a wounded arm)
三角恐龙
三角恐龍
san1 jiao3 kong3 long2
triceratops (dinosaur)
三角裤
三角褲
san1 jiao3 ku4
briefs; panties
三角裤衩
三角褲衩
san1 jiao3 ku4 cha3
briefs; panties
三角恋爱
三角戀愛
san1 jiao3 lian4 ai4
love triangle
三脚两步
三腳兩步
san1 jiao3 liang3 bu4
hurriedly; just a few steps away
三角龙
三角龍
san1 jiao3 long2
triceratops
三脚猫
三腳貓
san1 jiao3 mao1
jack of all trades
三角铁
三角鐵
san1 jiao3 tie3
triangle (musical instrument); angle iron
三角形
三角形
san1 jiao3 xing2
triangle
三角学
三角學
san1 jiao3 xue2
trigonometry
三角债
三角債
san1 jiao3 zhai4
triangular debt
三角洲
三角洲
san1 jiao3 zhou1
delta (geography)
三角柱体
三角柱體
san1 jiao3 zhu4 ti3
triangular prism (math.)
三角锥
三角錐
san1 jiao3 zhui1
triangular pyramid (math.)
三角座
三角座
san1 jiao3 zuo4
Triangulum (constellation)
三教
三教
san1 jiao4
the Three Doctrines (Daoism, Confucianism, Buddhism)
三教九流
三教九流
san1 jiao4 jiu3 liu2
the Three Religions (Daoism, Confucianism, Buddhism) and Nine Schools (Confucians, Daoists, Yin-Yang, Legalists, Logicians, Mohists, Political Strategists, Eclectics, Agriculturists); fig. people from all trades (often derog.)
三井
三井
san1 jing3
Mitsui (Japanese company)
三九天
三九天
san1 jiu3 tian1
the twenty seven days after the Winter Solstice, reputed to be the coldest days of the year
三句话不离本行
三句話不離本行
san1 ju4 hua4 bu4 li2 ben3 hang2
to talk shop all the time (idiom)
三聚氰胺
三聚氰胺
san1 ju4 qing2 an4
melamine C3H6N6
三军
三軍
san1 jun1
(in former times) upper, middle and lower army; army of right, center and left; (in modern times) the three armed services: Army, Navy and Air Force
三军用命
三軍用命
san1 jun1 yong4 ming4
(of a team) to throw oneself into the battle
三框栏
三框欄
san1 kuang4 lan2
name of radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 22); see also 匚
三棱草
三稜草
san1 leng2 cao3
sedge herb (Cyperus rotundus)
三棱镜
三稜鏡
san1 leng2 jing4
(triangular) prism
三里河
三里河
san1 li3 he2
Sanlihe (Beijing street name)
三里屯
三里屯
san1 li3 tun2
Sanlitun (Beijing street name)
三联管
三聯管
san1 lian2 guan3
triplet
三连胜
三連勝
san1 lian2 sheng4
hat-trick (sports)
三联书店
三聯書店
san1 lian2 shu1 dian4
Joint Publishing, bookstore chain and publisher, founded in Hong Kong in 1948
三两
三兩
san1 liang3
two or three
三磷酸腺苷
三磷酸腺苷
san1 lin2 suan1 xian4 gan1
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
三菱
三菱
san1 ling2
Mitsubishi
三令五申
三令五申
san1 ling4 wu3 shen1
to order again and again (idiom)
三流
三流
san1 liu2
third-rate; inferior
三鹿
三鹿
san1 lu4
Sanlu (brand)
三鹿集团
三鹿集團
san1 lu4 ji2 tuan2
Sanlu Group, Chinese state-owned dairy products company involved in the 2008 melamine poisoning scandal
三轮车
三輪車
san1 lun2 che1
pedicab; tricycle
三轮车夫
三輪車夫
san1 lun2 che1 fu1
pedicab driver
三论宗
三論宗
san1 lun4 zong1
Three Treatise School (Buddhism)
三氯化磷
三氯化磷
san1 lv4 hua4 lin2
phosphorous trichloride
三氯化铁
三氯化鐵
san1 lv4 hua4 tie3
ferric chloride FeCl3
三氯甲烷
三氯甲烷
san1 lv4 jia3 wan2
chloroform CHCl3; trichloromethane
三氯氰胺
三氯氰胺
san1 lv4 qing2 an4
melamine C3H6N6
三氯氧磷
三氯氧磷
san1 lv4 yang3 lin2
phosphorous oxychloride
三氯已烷
三氯已烷
san1 lv4 yi3 wan2
trichloroethane
三氯已烯
三氯已烯
san1 lv4 yi3 xi1
trichloroethylene
三略
三略
san1 lve4
see 黃石公三略|黄石公三略
三马同槽
三馬同槽
san1 ma3 tong2 cao2
three horses at the same trough (idiom, alluding to Sima Yi 司馬懿|司马懿 and his two sons); conspirators under the same roof
三毛猫
三毛貓
san1 mao2 mao1
tortoiseshell cat; calico cat
三昧
三昧
san1 mei4
Samadhi (Buddhist term)
三门
三門
san1 men2
Sanmen county in Taizhou 台州, Zhejiang
三门峡
三門峽
san1 men2 xia2
Sanmenxia prefecture level city in Henan
三门峡市
三門峽市
san1 men2 xia2 shi4
Sanmenxia prefecture level city in Henan
三门县
三門縣
san1 men2 xian4
Sanmen county in Taizhou 台州, Zhejiang
三秒胶
三秒膠
san1 miao3 jiao1
superglue
三民
三民
san1 min2
Sanmin district of Kaohsiung city 高雄市, south Taiwan
三民区
三民區
san1 min2 qu1
Sanmin district of Kaohsiung city 高雄市, south Taiwan
三民乡
三民鄉
san1 min2 xiang1
Sanmin district of Kaohsiung city 高雄市, south Taiwan
三民主义
三民主義
san1 min2 zhu3 yi4
Dr Sun Yat-sen's 孫中山|孙中山 Three principles of the people (late 1890s)
三明
三明
san1 ming2
Sanming prefecture level city in Fujian
三明市
三明市
san1 ming2 shi4
Sanming prefecture level city in Fujian
三明治
三明治
san1 ming2 zhi4
sandwich (loanword)
三农
三農
san1 nong2
see 三農問題|三农问题
三农问题
三農問題
san1 nong2 wen4 ti2
the three rural issues: agriculture, rural areas and peasants
三胚层动物
三胚層動物
san1 pei1 ceng2 dong4 wu4
triploblastic animals (having three germ layers)
三陪小姐
三陪小姐
san1 pei2 xiao3 jie5
female escort; bar girl
三朋四友
三朋四友
san1 peng2 si4 you3
friends; cronies
三浦
三浦
san1 pu3
Miura (Japanese surname and place name)
三浦梅园
三浦梅園
san1 pu3 mei2 yuan2
MIURA Baien (1723-1789), Japanese neo-Confucian philosopher and pioneer economist, author of The Origin of value 價原|价原
三七
三七
san1 qi1
pseudoginseng (Panax pseudoginseng), hemostatic herb
三七二十一
三七二十一
san1 qi1 er4 shi2 yi1
three sevens are twenty-one (idiom); the facts of the matter; the actual situation
三七开
三七開
san1 qi1 kai1
ratio seventy to thirty; thirty percent failure, seventy percent success
三七开定论
三七開定論
san1 qi1 kai1 ding4 lun4
thirty percent failure, seventy percent success, the official PRC verdict on Mao Zedong
三七仔
三七仔
san1 qi1 zi3
(slang) pimp
三亲六故
三親六故
san1 qin1 liu4 gu4
old friends and relatives
三权鼎立
三權鼎立
san1 quan2 ding3 li4
separation of powers
三权分立
三權分立
san1 quan2 fen1 li4
separation of powers
三人成虎
三人成虎
san1 ren2 cheng2 hu3
three men talking makes a tiger (idiom); repeated rumor becomes a fact
三人口气
三人口氣
san1 ren2 kou3 qi4
third person (grammar)
三人行
三人行
san1 ren2 xing2
(slang) threesome
三人行，必有我师
三人行，必有我師
san1 ren2 xing2 - bi4 you3 wo3 shi1
lit. if three walk together, one can be my teacher (idiom, from the Analects of Confucius); you have sth to learn from everyone
三人行，则必有我师
三人行，則必有我師
san1 ren2 xing2 - ze2 bi4 you3 wo3 shi1
If three walk together, one of them can teach me sth (Confucius)
三三两两
三三兩兩
san1 san1 liang3 liang3
in twos and threes
三色堇
三色堇
san1 se4 jin3
pansy
三色猫
三色貓
san1 se4 mao1
calico cat
三色紫罗兰
三色紫羅蘭
san1 se4 zi3 luo2 lan2
pansy
三山
三山
san1 shan1
Sanshan district of Wuhu city 蕪湖市|芜湖市, Anhui
三山区
三山區
san1 shan1 qu1
Sanshan district of Wuhu city 蕪湖市|芜湖市, Anhui
三生有幸
三生有幸
san1 sheng1 you3 xing4
the blessing of three lifetimes (idiom); (courteous language) it's my good fortune...
三十
三十
san1 shi2
thirty; 30
三十八度线
三十八度線
san1 shi2 ba1 du4 xian4
38th parallel; dividing line agreed at Yalta between US and Soviet zones of influence in Korea, now the DMZ between North and South Korea
三十而立
三十而立
san1 shi2 er2 li4
thirty years old and therefore independent (idiom, from Confucius)
三十二位元
三十二位元
san1 shi2 er4 wei4 yuan2
32-bit (computing)
三十二相
三十二相
san1 shi2 er4 xiang4
the thirty-two physical characteristics of Buddha
三十六计
三十六計
san1 shi2 liu4 ji4
The Thirty-Six Stratagems, a Chinese essay used to illustrate a series of stratagems used in politics, war, and in civil interaction; all the possible schemes and stratagems
三十六计，走为上策
三十六計，走為上策
san1 shi2 liu4 ji4 - zou3 wei2 shang4 ce4
Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, fleeing is best.; see also 三十六計|三十六计
三十六计，走为上计
三十六計，走為上計
san1 shi2 liu4 ji4 - zou3 wei2 shang4 ji4
see 三十六計，走為上策|三十六计，走为上策
三十六字母
三十六字母
san1 shi2 liu4 zi4 mu3
thirty six initial consonants of Song phonetic theory
三世
三世
san1 shi4
the Third (of numbered kings)
三手病
三手病
san1 shou3 bing4
repetitive strain injury (resulting from frequent use of one's thumb, wrist etc)
三水
三水
san1 shui3
Sanshui district of Foshan city 佛山市, Guangdong
三水区
三水區
san1 shui3 qu1
Sanshui district of Foshan city 佛山市, Guangdong
三水县
三水縣
san1 shui3 xian4
Sanshui county in Guangdong
三思而后行
三思而後行
san1 si1 er2 hou4 xing2
think again and again before acting (idiom); consider carefully in advance
三思而行
三思而行
san1 si1 er2 xing2
think three times then go (idiom); don't act before you've thought it through carefully
三苏
三蘇
san1 su1
the Three Su father and sons; refers to northern Song literati Su Xun 蘇洵|苏洵, Su Shi 蘇軾|苏轼 and Su Zhe 蘇轍|苏辙
三酸甘油酯
三酸甘油酯
san1 suan1 gan1 you2 zhi3
triglyceride
三穗
三穗
san1 sui4
Sansui county in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture 黔東南州|黔东南州, Guizhou
三穗县
三穗縣
san1 sui4 xian4
Sansui county in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture 黔東南州|黔东南州, Guizhou
三索锦蛇
三索錦蛇
san1 suo3 jin3 she2
copperhead race (Elaphe radiata), kind of snake
三台
三台
san1 tai2
Santai county in Mianyang 綿陽|绵阳, north Sichuan
三台县
三台縣
san1 tai2 xian4
Santai county in Mianyang 綿陽|绵阳, north Sichuan
三碳糖
三碳糖
san1 tan4 tang2
triose (CH20)3, monosaccharide with three carbon atoms, such as glyceraldehyde 甘油醛
三屉桌
三屜桌
san1 ti2 zhuo1
three-drawer desk (traditional Chinese piece of furniture)
三体
三體
san1 ti3
trisomy
三体问题
三體問題
san1 ti3 wen4 ti2
three-body problem (mechanics)
三天不打，上房揭瓦
三天不打，上房揭瓦
san1 tian1 bu4 da3 - shang4 fang2 jie1 wa3
three days without a beating, and a child will scale the roof to rip the tiles (idiom); spare the rod, spoil the child
三天打鱼，两天晒网
三天打魚，兩天曬網
san1 tian1 da3 yu2 - liang3 tian1 shai4 wang3
lit. to fish for three days and sun-dry the nets for two days (proverb); fig. not to persevere in doing sth; to do sth by fits and starts
三天两头
三天兩頭
san1 tian1 liang3 tou2
lit. twice every three days (idiom); practically every day; frequently
三田
三田
san1 tian2
Mita, Sanda, Mitsuda etc (Japanese surname or place name)
三田
三田
san1 tian2
3 annual hunting bouts; 3 qi points
三条
三條
san1 tiao2
three of a kind (poker)
三通
三通
san1 tong1
T-joint; T-piece; T-pipe; three links
三头肌
三頭肌
san1 tou2 ji1
triceps muscle; triceps brachii
三头六臂
三頭六臂
san1 tou2 liu4 bi4
lit. to have three heads and six arms (idiom); fig. to possess remarkable abilities; a being of formidable powers
三退
三退
san1 tui4
withdrawal from the Communist Party, the Communist Youth League, and the Young Pioneers of China
三瓦两舍
三瓦兩舍
san1 wa3 liang3 she4
places of pleasure (like brothels, tea houses etc)
三湾
三灣
san1 wan1
Sanwan township in Miaoli county 苗栗縣|苗栗县, northwest Taiwan
三湾乡
三灣鄉
san1 wan1 xiang1
Sanwan township in Miaoli county 苗栗縣|苗栗县, northwest Taiwan
三围
三圍
san1 wei2
BWH, abbr. for a woman's three measurements, namely: bust 胸圍|胸围, waist 腰圍|腰围 and hip 臀圍|臀围
三维
三維
san1 wei2
three-dimensional; 3D
三维空间
三維空間
san1 wei2 kong1 jian1
three-dimensional space; 3D
三位博士
三位博士
san1 wei4 bo2 shi4
the Magi; the Three Wise Kings from the East in the biblical nativity story
三味线
三味線
san1 wei4 xian4
shamisen, three-stringed Japanese musical instrument
三位一体
三位一體
san1 wei4 yi1 ti3
Holy Trinity; trinity
三温暖
三溫暖
san1 wen1 nuan3
sauna (loanword) (Tw)
三文鱼
三文魚
san1 wen2 yu2
salmon (loanword)
三文治
三文治
san1 wen2 zhi4
sandwich (loanword)
三五
三五
san1 wu3
several; three or five
三五成群
三五成群
san1 wu3 cheng2 qun2
in groups of three or four (idiom)
三峡
三峽
san1 xia2
Three Gorges on the Chang Jiang or Yangtze, namely: Qutang Gorge 瞿塘峽|瞿塘峡, Wuxia Gorge 巫峽|巫峡 and Xiling Gorge 西陵峽|西陵峡; Sanxia or Sanhsia town in New Taipei City 新北市, Taiwan
三峡大坝
三峽大壩
san1 xia2 da4 ba4
Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River
三峡水库
三峽水庫
san1 xia2 shui3 ku4
Three Gorges Reservoir on the Changjiang or Yangtze
三侠五义
三俠五義
san1 xia2 wu3 yi4
Sanxia wuyi (lit. Three knight-errants and five righteous one), novel edited from stories of late Qing dynasty pinghua 評話|评话 master storyteller Shi Yukun 石玉昆
三峡镇
三峽鎮
san1 xia2 zhen4
Sanxia or Sanhsia town in New Taipei City 新北市, Taiwan
三下两下
三下兩下
san1 xia4 liang3 xia4
quickly and effortlessly (idiom)
三下五除二
三下五除二
san1 xia4 wu3 chu2 er4
three, set five remove two (abacus rule); efficiently; quickly and easily
三鲜
三鮮
san1 xian1
three fresh ingredients (in cooking)
三弦
三弦
san1 xian2
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
三厢
三廂
san1 xiang1
sedan (automobile body type)
三项
三項
san1 xiang4
three items; three events; three terms; tri-; trinomial, ternary (math.); triathlon (abbr. for 三項全能|三项全能)
三相点
三相點
san1 xiang4 dian3
triple point (thermodynamics)
三项全能
三項全能
san1 xiang4 quan2 neng2
triathlon
三项式
三項式
san1 xiang4 shi4
trinomial (math.)
三硝基甲苯
三硝基甲苯
san1 xiao1 ji1 jia3 ben3
trinitrotoluene (TNT)
三心二意
三心二意
san1 xin1 er4 yi4
in two minds about sth (idiom); half-hearted; shilly-shallying
三星
三星
san1 xing1
Sanxing or Sanhsing township in Yilan county 宜蘭縣|宜兰县, Taiwan; Samsung (South Korean electronics company)
三星
三星
san1 xing1
three major stars of the Three Stars 參宿|参宿 Chinese constellation; the belt of Orion; three spirits 福, 祿|禄, and 壽|寿 associated with the Three Stars 參宿|参宿 Chinese constellation
三星集团
三星集團
san1 xing1 ji2 tuan2
Samsung Group
三星乡
三星鄉
san1 xing1 xiang1
Sanxing or Sanhsing township in Yilan county 宜蘭縣|宜兰县, Taiwan
三旬九食
三旬九食
san1 xun2 jiu3 shi2
lit. to have only nine meals in thirty days (idiom); fig. (of a family) on the brink of starvation; in dire straits
三亚
三亞
san1 ya4
Sanya prefecture level city, Hainan
三亚市
三亞市
san1 ya4 shi4
Sanya prefecture level city, Hainan
三言两句
三言兩句
san1 yan2 liang3 ju4
in a few words (idiom); expressed succinctly
三言两语
三言兩語
san1 yan2 liang3 yu3
in a few words (idiom); expressed succinctly
三洋
三洋
san1 yang2
Sanyō, Japanese electronics company
三叶草
三葉草
san1 ye4 cao3
clover; trefoil
三叶虫
三葉蟲
san1 ye4 chong2
trilobite
三叶星云
三葉星雲
san1 ye4 xing1 yun2
Trifid Nebula M20
三夷教
三夷教
san1 yi2 jiao4
the three foreign religions (Nestorianism, Manicheanism and Zoroastrianism)
三义
三義
san1 yi4
Sanyi township in Miaoli county 苗栗縣|苗栗县, northwest Taiwan
三义乡
三義鄉
san1 yi4 xiang1
Sanyi township in Miaoli county 苗栗縣|苗栗县, northwest Taiwan
三音
三音
san1 yin1
third (musical interval, e.g. do-mi)
三音度
三音度
san1 yin1 du4
third (musical interval)
三用表
三用表
san1 yong4 biao3
instrument console (diving)
三原
三原
san1 yuan2
Sanyuan County in Xianyang 咸陽|咸阳, Shaanxi
三元醇
三元醇
san1 yuan2 chun2
propyl alcohol C3H7OH
三元区
三元區
san1 yuan2 qu1
Sanyuan district of Sanming city 三明市, Fujian
三原县
三原縣
san1 yuan2 xian4
Sanyuan County in Xianyang 咸陽|咸阳, Shaanxi
三元运算
三元運算
san1 yuan2 yun4 suan4
ternary operator (computing)
三原则
三原則
san1 yuan2 ze2
the Three Principles (in many contexts)
三月
三月
san1 yue4
March; third month (of the lunar year)
三月份
三月份
san1 yue4 fen4
March
三月街
三月街
san1 yue4 jie1
Third Month Fair, traditional festival of the Bai Nationality 白族
三藏
三藏
san1 zang4
Tripitaka (602-664) Tang dynasty Buddhist monk and translator, who traveled to India 629-645; same as 玄奘
三藏法师
三藏法師
san1 zang4 fa3 shi1
Tripitaka (602-664) Tang dynasty Buddhist monk and translator, who traveled to India 629-645; same as 玄奘
三贞九烈
三貞九烈
san1 zhen1 jiu3 lie4
(of a widow) faithful to the death to her husband's memory
三振
三振
san1 zhen4
to strike out; strikeout (baseball, softball); (Tw) to ditch; to eliminate from consideration
三振出局
三振出局
san1 zhen4 chu1 ju2
see 三振
三芝
三芝
san1 zhi1
Sanzhi or Sanchih township in New Taipei City 新北市, Taiwan
三只手
三隻手
san1 zhi1 shou3
pickpocket
三芝乡
三芝鄉
san1 zhi1 xiang1
Sanzhi or Sanchih township in New Taipei City 新北市, Taiwan
三趾滨鹬
三趾濱鷸
san1 zhi3 bin1 yu4
(bird species of China) sanderling (Calidris alba)
三趾翠鸟
三趾翠鳥
san1 zhi3 cui4 niao3
(bird species of China) oriental dwarf kingfisher (Ceyx erithacus)
三趾鸥
三趾鷗
san1 zhi3 ou1
(bird species of China) black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)
三趾鸦雀
三趾鴉雀
san1 zhi3 ya1 que4
(bird species of China) three-toed parrotbill (Cholornis paradoxa)
三趾啄木鸟
三趾啄木鳥
san1 zhi3 zhuo2 mu4 niao3
(bird species of China) Eurasian three-toed woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus)
三中全会
三中全會
san1 zhong1 quan2 hui4
third plenum of a national congress of the Chinese Communist Party
三柱门
三柱門
san1 zhu4 men2
(sports) (cricket) wicket (set of stumps and bails)
三资企业
三資企業
san1 zi1 qi3 ye4
foreign, private and joint ventures
三自
三自
san1 zi4
abbr. for 三自愛國教會|三自爱国教会, Three-Self Patriotic Movement
三自爱国教会
三自愛國教會
san1 zi4 ai4 guo2 jiao4 hui4
Three-Self Patriotic Movement, PRC government-sanctioned Protestant church from 1949
三自教会
三自教會
san1 zi4 jiao4 hui4
Three-Self Patriotic Movement, PRC government-sanctioned Protestant church from 1949
三字经
三字經
san1 zi4 jing1
Three Character Classic, 13th century reading primer consisting of Confucian tenets in lines of 3 characters
三字经
三字經
san1 zi4 jing1
(slang) swearword; four-letter word
三族
三族
san1 zu2
(old) three generations (father, self and sons); three clans (your own, your mother's, your wife's)
三足金乌
三足金烏
san1 zu2 jin1 wu1
three-legged Golden Crow that lives in the sun (in northeast Asian and Chinese mythology); Korean: samjog'o
三足乌
三足烏
san1 zu2 wu1
three-legged Golden Crow that lives in the sun (in northeast Asian and Chinese mythology); Korean: samjog'o
十三
十三
shi2 san1
thirteen; 13
十三点
十三點
shi2 san1 dian3
half-witted; nitwit
十三经
十三經
shi2 san1 jing1
the Thirteen Confucian Classics, namely: Book of Songs 詩經|诗经, Book of History 尚書|尚书, Rites of Zhou 周禮|周礼, Rites and Ceremonies 儀禮|仪礼, Classic of Rites 禮記|礼记, Book of Changes 易經|易经, Mr Zuo's Annals 左傳|左传, Mr Gongyang's Annals 公羊傳|公羊传, Mr Guliang's Annals 穀
十三日
十三日
shi2 san1 ri4
thirteenth day of a month
十三张
十三張
shi2 san1 zhang1
Chinese poker
事不过三
事不過三
shi4 bu4 guo4 san1
a thing should not be attempted more than three times (idiom); don't repeat the same mistake again and again; bad things don't happen more than three times
是药三分毒
是藥三分毒
shi4 yao4 san1 fen1 du2
every medicine has its side effect
说三道四
說三道四
shuo1 san1 dao4 si4
to make thoughtless remarks (idiom); to criticize; gossip
太子十三峰
太子十三峰
tai4 zi3 shi2 san1 feng1
thirteen peaks of Meri snow mountains in Diqing Tibetan autonomous prefecture 迪慶藏族自治州|迪庆藏族自治州, Yunnan; also written 梅里雪山
唐三藏
唐三藏
tang2 san1 zang4
Tripitaka (602-664) Tang dynasty Buddhist monk and translator, who traveled to India 629-645; same as 玄奘
唐诗三百首
唐詩三百首
tang2 shi1 san1 bai3 shou3
Three hundred Tang dynasty poems, a stable anthology collected around 1763 by Sun Zhu 孫誅
桃园三结义
桃園三結義
tao2 yuan2 san1 jie2 yi4
Oath of the Peach Garden, sworn by Liu Bei 劉備|刘备, Zhang Fei 張飛|张飞 and Guan Yu 關羽|关羽 at the start of the Romance of Three Kingdoms 三國演義|三国演义
挑三拣四
挑三揀四
tiao1 san1 jian3 si4
to be picky; to be choosy
调三窝四
調三窩四
tiao2 san1 wo1 si4
to sow the seeds of discord everywhere (idiom)
挑三窝四
挑三窩四
tiao3 san1 wo1 si4
to sow discord everywhere
推三阻四
推三阻四
tui1 san1 zu3 si4
to use all sorts of excuses
退避三舍
退避三捨
tui4 bi4 san1 she4
lit. to retreat three day's march (idiom); fig. to give way in the face of superior strength; a strategic withdrawal
网开三面
網開三面
wang3 kai1 san1 mian4
to leave the net open on three sides (idiom); let the caged bird fly; to give one's opponent a way out; lenient treatment
韦编三绝
韋編三絕
wei2 bian1 san1 jue2
lit. the leather binding (of the bamboo scroll) has broken three times; fig. to study diligently
无风三尺浪
無風三尺浪
wu2 feng1 san1 chi3 lang4
lit. large waves in windless conditions (idiom); fig. trouble arising unexpectedly
吴三桂
吳三桂
wu2 san1 gui4
Wu Sangui (1612-1678), Chinese general who let the Manchus into China and helped them establish the Qing Dynasty, later leading a revolt against Qing in an effort to start his own dynasty
无事不登三宝殿
無事不登三寶殿
wu2 shi4 bu4 deng1 san1 bao3 dian4
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
五讲四美三热爱
五講四美三熱愛
wu3 jiang3 si4 mei3 san1 re4 ai4
the five emphases, four beauties and three loves (PRC policy introduced in 1981, including emphasis on manners, beauty of language and love of socialism)
下三滥
下三濫
xia4 san1 lan4
riffraff; scum; lowlife; despicable; inferior
下三烂
下三爛
xia4 san1 lan4
variant of 下三濫|下三滥
腺嘌呤核苷三磷酸
腺嘌呤核苷三磷酸
xian4 piao4 ling4 he2 gan1 san1 lin2 suan1
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
小三
小三
xiao3 san1
mistress; the other woman (coll.); grade 3 in elementary school
小三度
小三度
xiao3 san1 du4
minor third (musical interval)
小三和弦
小三和弦
xiao3 san1 he2 xian2
minor triad la-do-mi
小渊惠三
小淵惠三
xiao3 yuan1 hui4 san1
Obuchi Keizo (1937-2000), Japanese politician, prime minister 1998-2000
新官上任三把火
新官上任三把火
xin1 guan1 shang4 ren4 san1 ba3 huo3
the new boss cracks the whip three times; a new broom sweeps clean; fig. vigorous new policies
星期三
星期三
xing1 qi1 san1
Wednesday
一板三眼
一板三眼
yi1 ban3 san1 yan3
lit. one strong beat and three weak beats in a measure of music (four beats in the bar) (idiom); fig. scrupulous attention to detail
一波三折
一波三折
yi1 bo1 san1 zhe2
calligraphic flourish with many twists; fig. many twists and turns
一倡三叹
一倡三歎
yi1 chang4 san1 tan4
(of literature, music) deeply moving (idiom)
一唱三叹
一唱三嘆
yi1 chang4 san1 tan4
see 一倡三歎|一倡三叹
一而再，再而三
一而再，再而三
yi1 er2 zai4 - zai4 er2 san1
again and again
一哭二闹三上吊
一哭二鬧三上吊
yi1 ku1 er4 nao4 san1 shang4 diao4
to make a terrible scene (idiom); to throw a tantrum
伊洛瓦底三角洲
伊洛瓦底三角洲
yi1 luo4 wa3 di3 san1 jiao3 zhou1
Irrawaddy delta in south Myanmar (Burma)
一日不见，如隔三秋
一日不見，如隔三秋
yi1 ri4 bu4 jian4 - ru2 ge2 san1 qiu1
one day apart seems like three years (idiom)
一日三餐
一日三餐
yi1 ri4 san1 can1
to have three meals a day
一日三秋
一日三秋
yi1 ri4 san1 qiu1
a single day apart seems like three seasons (idiom)
一问三不知
一問三不知
yi1 wen4 san1 bu4 zhi1
lit. to reply "don't know" whatever the question (idiom); fig. absolutely no idea of what's going on; complete ignorance
约法三章
約法三章
yue1 fa3 san1 zhang1
to agree on three laws (idiom); three-point covenant; (fig.) preliminary agreement; basic rules
约翰三书
約翰三書
yue1 han4 san1 shu1
Third epistle of St John
再三
再三
zai4 san1
over and over again; again and again
再三再四
再三再四
zai4 san1 zai4 si4
repeatedly; over and over again
再衰三竭
再衰三竭
zai4 shuai1 san1 jie2
weakening and close to exhaustion (idiom); in terminal decline; on one's last legs
增三和弦
增三和弦
zeng1 san1 he2 xian2
augmented triad (musical chord)
张三
張三
zhang1 san1
John Doe; Zhang San, name for an unspecified person, first of a series of three: 張三|张三, 李四, 王五 Tom, Dick and Harry
张三，李四，王五，赵六
張三，李四，王五，趙六
zhang1 san1 - li3 si4 - wang2 wu3 - zhao4 liu4
four proverbial names; Tom, Dick and Harry
张三李四
張三李四
zhang1 san1 li3 si4
Zhang and Li (idiom); Zhang with tight trousers and Li with wide hat; Tom, Dick and Harry
朝三暮四
朝三暮四
zhao1 san1 mu4 si4
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
着三不着两
著三不著兩
zhao2 san1 bu4 zhao2 liang3
scatter-brained; thoughtless
浙江三门县
浙江三門縣
zhe4 jiang1 san1 men2 xian4
Sanmen County in Zhejiang
直角三角
直角三角
zhi2 jiao3 san1 jiao3
a right angled triangle
直角三角形
直角三角形
zhi2 jiao3 san1 jiao3 xing2
a right angled triangle
周三
週三
zhou1 san1
Wednesday
周三径一
周三徑一
zhou1 san1 jing4 yi1
circumference of a circle is proverbially three times its radius
珠江三角洲
珠江三角洲
zhu1 jiang1 san1 jiao3 zhou1
Pearl River Delta (PRD)
珠三角
珠三角
zhu1 san1 jiao3
Pearl River Delta
棕三趾鹑
棕三趾鶉
zong1 san1 zhi3 chun2
(bird species of China) barred buttonquail (Turnix suscitator)
总会三明治
總會三明治
zong3 hui4 san1 ming2 zhi4
club sandwich