triad

/ˈtraɪæd/ (bre, ipa) · [trˈaɪˌæd] /ˈtraɪæd/ (ame, ipa) · [trˈaɪˌæd] /ˈtrī-ˌad How to pronounce triad (audio) also -əd/ (ame, mw)

triad — noun

  • triadsingular
  • triadsplural

1. three closely connected people, things, or ideas that together form a single uni

1.名詞B2
釋義

three closely connected people, things, or ideas that together form a single unit or set.

例句

The three countries formed a triad to cooperate on trade and security.

collocation: formed a triad

In many belief systems, the number three appears as a sacred triad of gods or forces.

同義詞
  • trilogy

    a set of three related books, films, or artworks; more specific than triad

  • triplet

    one of three children born at the same birth, or any set of three identical items

  • trinity

    a group of three closely connected things, often with religious or philosophical overtones

文法句型

triad + of + plural noun

用法筆記

Often followed by 'of' + a plural noun ('a triad of problems'). More formal than 'group of three' or 'threesome'. Commonly used in academic, philosophical, or design contexts.

常見錯誤

❌There is a triad of birds on the tree.
✅There are three birds on the tree.
💡'triad' sounds overly formal for everyday objects; use it with abstract or important groups.

2. a secret criminal organisation based in Chinese communities that carries out lar

2.名詞B2
釋義

a secret criminal organisation based in Chinese communities that carries out large-scale crimes such as drug trafficking, extortion, and money laundering.

例句

The police have been investigating triad activity in the city for months.

collocation: triad activity

Many of the city's night markets were once controlled by local triads.

passive: controlled by local triads

同義詞
  • mafia

    refers specifically to Italian or Sicilian organised crime, not Chinese groups

  • syndicate

    a broader term for any organised criminal group, not limited to Chinese communities

  • gang

    a less structured criminal group, often smaller and less formal than a triad

文法句型

the + plural: 'the triads'

用法筆記

Usually in plural form ('the triads') to refer to the network of organisations as a whole. Singular 'a triad' can refer to one specific group.

常見錯誤

❌The mafia in China is called triad.
✅The criminal organisations in Chinese communities are called triads.
💡'triad' is a countable noun and is usually plural when referring to the organisations in general.

3. a musical chord made up of three notes: the root note, the note a third above it

3.名詞B2
釋義

a musical chord made up of three notes: the root note, the note a third above it, and the note a fifth above it — the basic building block of harmony in Western music.

例句

The piano teacher asked Stefan to play a C major triad with his right hand.

collocation: major triad

A minor triad has a sadder sound than a major triad because of the lowered middle note.

minor triad vs major triad

同義詞
  • chord

    a broader category that includes triads, seventh chords, and extended chords

  • arpeggio

    the notes of a triad played one after another instead of together

用法筆記

Commonly modified by 'major' or 'minor' to indicate the quality of the chord ('a major triad', 'a minor triad'). The root note is named first ('C major triad' = C, E, G).

常見錯誤

❌A triad is any group of three notes played together.
✅A triad is a specific type of chord built from a root, a third, and a fifth.
💡not every three-note chord is a triad; a triad has a specific structure.