三
Character Breakdown
Radical: 一 (no. 1)
View stroke order →Definitions
- three
- 3
Example Sentences
我有三个苹果。
Wǒ yǒu sān gè píngguǒ
I have three apples
Words Containing 三
Showing 10 of 20 · View all words with 三 →
Related Words
一日三秋(yī rì sān qiū)· a single day apart seems like three seasons (idiom)
→一日三餐(yī rì sān cān)· to have three meals a day
→一日不见，如隔三秋(yī rì bù jiàn , rú gé sān qiū)· one day apart seems like three years (idiom)
→一板三眼(yī bǎn sān yǎn)· lit. one strong beat and three weak beats in a measure of music (four beats in the bar) (idiom); fig. scrupulous attention to detail
→Grammar Notes
Basic Measure Words (个, 本, 杯)HSK 1
Number / 这 / 那 + Measure Word + Noun
Time Expression PlacementHSK 1
Subject + Time + Verb + Object (or) Time + Subject + Verb + Object
Completed Action with 了HSK 1
Subject + Verb + 了 + Object
Number + Measure Word + NounHSK 1
Number + Measure Word + Noun
Duration ComplementHSK 2
Subject + Verb + 了 + Duration (+ Object)
Appears in these articles
HSK levels
- New HSK exam
- HSK 1
- HSK 2.0
- HSK 1
- HSK Lord study list
- HSK 1 list
三: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands
New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.
On the new HSK 1 exam
Studying for HSK 1? Keep 三 with the rest of your level.
HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.