Discovering Taiwan's Unique Love Vocabulary: Green Hats, Little Threes, and Little Wangs

When it comes to love and relationships, every culture has its own colorful expressions. In Taiwan, there are some truly unique and vivid terms to describe what happens when love gets complicated, especially when someone is unfaithful. If you ever hear about "green hats," "little threes," or "little wangs," you're entering the fascinating world of Taiwanese relationship slang.

The Green Hat: A Symbol of Betrayal

In Taiwan, if a married man’s wife cheats on him, people say he’s “wearing a green hat”. To outsiders, this might sound strange, but it’s a deeply rooted cultural metaphor. Historically dating back to ancient Chinese rules, men whose wives were unfaithful were marked by green headwear to show shame. Today, calling someone “wearing a green hat” is a tongue-in-cheek way to say their partner has been unfaithful. It’s a phrase loaded with a mix of humor, pity, and a dash of social stigma.

Little Threes: The Female Intruder

The term “little three” (xiǎo sān) is a nickname for the mistress: the woman who comes between a couple. Originating from the idea of being the “third party” in the relationship, it’s a common phrase you’ll hear in conversations around infidelity. Thanks to popular Taiwanese dramas, the term has become even more widespread and instantly recognizable to locals and visitors alike.

Little Wangs: The Male Counterpart

But what if the unfaithful third party is a man? Enter the “little wang” (xiǎo wáng): the male lover who intrudes upon a marriage. This counterpart to the “little three” was coined more recently as a linguistic balance. Interestingly, the character “王” (Wang) has one more stroke than “三” (three), perhaps symbolizing the difference in gender. Nowadays, it’s a common way to refer to the male side of an affair, especially in Taiwan and greater Chinese-speaking communities.

The term “little wang” may also derive from the popular phrase “Old Wang next door”, which is used in Chinese culture to describe a man having an affair or illicit flirtation with a neighbor’s wife. Because “Wang” is one of the most common Chinese surnames, “Old Wang” has become a generic nickname for men. To create a counterpart word for “little three,” this was then shortened to “little wang,” referring generally to a male paramour or lover.

Every time I see how language evolves with human creativity and social change, I'm reminded of just how beautiful language can be. So next time you explore Taiwanese culture, these vibrant terms might catch your attention. They reveal Taiwan's unique take on love, loyalty, and heartbreak, all wrapped in humor and sharp social insight. Whether it's the green hat, "little three," or "little wang," these expressions make Taiwan's cultural landscape as dynamic as its night markets.