三更

三

sa̅n

更

ge̅ng

third of the five night watch periods 23:00-01:00 (old) / midnight / also pr. [san1 jin1]

Characters and words in 三更

三

sa̅n = s + an1

three / 3

三 = 一 + 二 : Mnemonic symbol: a Cartesian coordinate system with three (三) axes.

Socrates (s-) is performing in front of the anthill (-an1). He created an electrical flute by attaching a large capacitor (二) to the flute (一), so that he can get the attention of all the ants. Moreover, he's balancing on a Cartesian coordinate system (三). Unfortunately, only three (三) ants stop to watch the performance.

更

ge̅ng = g + (e)ng1

to change or replace / to experience / one of the five two-hour periods into which the night was formerly divided / watch (e.g. of a sentry or guard)

更

gèng = g + (e)ng4

more / even more / further / still / still more

更 = 丈 + 日 : 人心不足，蛇吞象: A person who always wants more is like a snake which wants to eat an elephant.

更 = 丈 + 日 : Guy Fawkes found a snake who ate an elephant in the engine's bathroom, and now it can't move anymore. Together with his friends Bigfoot and the sun, he carries it out of the bathroom.