Definition
三五成群 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'in small groups of three to five people'. It describes people gathering or moving around in small, informal clusters — not necessarily exactly three or five, just small groups. You'll hear it used for students chatting between classes, tourists wandering a market, or friends hanging out. The literal image is 'three-five forming a crowd'.
f.e.
in small groups (of three to five people)
Examples
- ,三五成群。Xià kè yǐhòu, xuéshēngmen sān wǔ chéng qún de zǒu chū jiàoshì.After class, the students walked out of the classroom in small groups.
- ,三五成群。Gōngyuán lǐ, rénmen sān wǔ chéng qún de zuò zài cǎodì shàng liáotiān.In the park, people sat on the grass in small groups chatting.
- ,三五成群。Zhōumò de yèshì shàng, yóukè sān wǔ chéng qún de guàng lái guàng qù.At the weekend night market, tourists wandered around in small groups.
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