1.
the three major ~; the three great ~
A prefix attached to a noun to name the three most important, famous, or representative members of a category, as in 世界三大料理 (the world's three great cuisines).
日本三大祭り
the three great festivals of Japan
世界三大料理とは何か知っていますか。
Do you know what the world's three great cuisines are?
この滝は日本三大瀑布の一つに数えられている。
This waterfall is counted among Japan's three great waterfalls.
Formed from 三 (three) + 大 (great). Attaches directly to a noun, often preceded by a scope word such as 世界 (world) or 日本 (Japan).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 世界三大~: the world's three great ~
- 日本三大~: Japan's three great ~
- 三大都市: the three major cities
USAGE:
The same pattern extends to other numbers, such as 四大 (the four major) and 五大 (the five major).