three

• 数词，表示数量三。可指三个事物或第三。

A cardinal number, not an adjective. It refers to the quantity of three items.

1. Number threeA1formal

   Being one more than two; the cardinal number between two and four.

   三

   • She has three cats at home.
   • There are three chairs around the table.
   • He ate three slices of pizza for lunch.

• 基数词，表示一加一加一的总和；也指有三点的扑克牌或骰子面。

A noun referring to the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one, or a playing card with three pips.

1. The number 3A1formal

   The cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one.

   三

   • Three is my lucky number.
   • She counted to three before starting the race.
   • The answer to the equation is three.

2. A2formal

   One of four playing cards in a deck having three pips.

   三点

   • He drew a three of hearts from the deck.
   • The three of spades was the winning card.
   • She placed the three of clubs on the table.

   同义词trey

• 数词，表示数量三；也可作名词表示三个人或物、三这个数字，或表示三次。

The cardinal numeral representing the quantity of three units; the third positive integer following two. Also functions as a noun (denoting the symbol, quantity, or group of three), adjective/determiner (modifying nouns to indicate quantity), and pronoun (standing in for a plural noun phrase).

1. Cardinal numeral: the number 3A1formal

   Used to denote a quantity of three persons or things; the third positive integer in the sequence of natural numbers; represents a trio, triplet, or triple quantity in counting, mathematics, and everyday usage.

   基数词：数字3

   • I have three sisters.
   • She ordered three cups of coffee.
   • Three plus three equals six.
   • They waited for three hours.
   • He scored three points in the game.

2. Noun: the number, symbol, or group of threeA2formal

   A noun referring to the cardinal number three; the numeral symbol 3 or III; a set, collection, or group consisting of three items; a playing card, domino, or die face displaying three pips.

   名词：数字三、符号三或三个一组

   • The number three is a prime number.
   • Write the number as a three, not a four.
   • They formed a three to complete the project.
   • He drew the three of hearts from the deck.
   • In basketball, a three is worth three points.

3. Adjective/Determiner: amounting to threeA1formal

   Used attributively before a noun to indicate that the quantity or number of the noun is three; modifies plural countable nouns to specify exact quantity.

   数量为三的

   • She lives in a three-bedroom house.
   • We need three volunteers for the event.
   • The recipe calls for three eggs.
   • He worked three shifts this week.
   • Three countries signed the agreement.

4. Pronoun: three people or things (plural)B1formal

   Used as a pronoun to refer to three previously mentioned or understood persons or things; takes plural verb agreement.

   代词：三个（人或事物）

   • Five applied, but only three were accepted.
   • I invited ten people; three arrived late.
   • How many do you need? — Three will suffice.
   • Several tried, but three succeeded.
   • Of the candidates, three were selected.