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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "three years" with 三年 (sān nián)

    Numbers & Quantity
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    三年 (+ 的 + Noun)

    Explanation

    三年 (sān nián) means "three years" and functions as a time duration phrase. It combines the numeral 三 (three) with the time unit 年 (year). This compound is commonly used in time-frame expressions like 未来三年 (the next three years) or 过去三年 (the past three years).

    Examples

    • 我在这家公司已经工作三年了。

      Wǒ zài zhè jiā gōngsī yǐjīng gōngzuò sān nián le.

      I have already been working at this company for three years.

    • 未来三年我们计划扩大海外市场。

      Wèilái sān nián wǒmen jìhuà kuòdà hǎiwài shìchǎng.

      In the next three years, we plan to expand into overseas markets.

    • 过去三年他一直住在上海。

      Guòqù sān nián tā yìzhí zhù zài Shànghǎi.

      He has been living in Shanghai for the past three years.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing "three years" with 三年 (sān nián) | Chinese Grammar