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
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Csan1 -
see 3C
三P三Psan1 -
(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
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
treble
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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)