初三 (chū sān) — third day of a lunar month (especially the third day of the Lunar New Year); third year of junior high school (9th grade)

Definition

Two unrelated meanings share this form: the third day of a lunar month (esp. 正月初三, after Chinese New Year) and grade 9, the final year of junior high. Use context to tell which is meant.

noun
third day of a lunar month (especially the third day of the Lunar New Year)third year of junior high school (9th grade)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 初三。
    Nóng lì chū sān wǒ men quán jiā qù bài nián.
    On the third day of the lunar New Year, our whole family goes to pay New Year visits.
  • 初三。
    Wǒ dì di jīn nián shàng chū sān.
    My younger brother is in the third year of junior high school this year.
  • 初三。
    chū sān Nà tiān wǒ men qù le miào huì.
    On the third day of the lunar month, we went to the temple fair.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

初chūfirst
三sānthree

初 points to the start of the sequence and 三 supplies the number, giving the third day or year.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

初 combines 衤 (clothes) and 刀 (knife), showing the start of making clothes by cutting cloth.

Open 初 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

三 is drawn as three parallel strokes, like 一 with one stroke and 二 with two.

Open 三 →

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