三
Character learning workspace

sān · three

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 2.0 · Level 1HSK 3.0 · Level 1Frequency #233
Watch · inspect · write

Learn every stroke in 三

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Step-by-step explorer

See how 三 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Character anatomy

Understand the reusable parts

The decomposition shows how the visual pieces fit together, not necessarily the character’s historical origin.

Writing notes

Shape and proportion

3Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Top-bottomCharacter structure

Keep the upper section balanced above the lower section.

一Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 三 writing sheet

Get a ready-to-use A4 sheet immediately, or open the full builder to change its grid and guidance.

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Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 三

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 三 sits in each complete thought.

Wǒ yǒu de shū shì nǐ de sān bèi.我有的書是你的三倍。

I have three times as many books as you do.

Source: Tatoeba #7780157 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zhège gěi wǒ lái sān gè.这个给我来三个。

I'd like three of these.

Source: Tatoeba #727503 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ zài sān diǎn yǒu gè yuē huì.我在三点有个约会。

I have an appointment at 3.

Source: Tatoeba #340644 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zhè wǒ yào sān gè.这我要三个。

I'd like three of these.

Source: Tatoeba #462042 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā de shū yǒu wǒ de sān bèi duō.他的書有我的三倍多。

He has three times as many books as I have.

Source: Tatoeba #5933790 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nà bù xiǎo shuō wǒ kàn le sān tiān.那部小说我看了三天。

I read the novel in three days.

Source: Tatoeba #10157004 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 三 in context

  1. Say sān, then recall the core meaning: three.
  2. Write all 3 strokes while keeping the top-bottom balanced.
  3. Use it in 再三 (zài sān), meaning “over and over again”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 三 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.