How do you use "Third wheel" in a sentence?

I felt like a third wheel. Don't want to be the third wheel. Stop being such a third wheel. Third wheeling again.

Third wheel

Q: What does "Third wheel" mean?

An unwanted extra person with a couple Someone who feels awkward being with a couple, like an unnecessary third wheel on a vehicle.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

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Meaning: An unwanted extra person with a couple

电灯泡（情侣旁的多余人）

Un tercero no deseado con una pareja

邪魔者、お邪魔虫

커플 사이의 끼인 사람, 전등

Someone who feels awkward being with a couple, like an unnecessary third wheel on a vehicle.

与情侣在一起时感到尴尬的人，就像车辆上多余的第三个轮子。

Alguien que se siente incómodo estando con una pareja, como una tercera rueda innecesaria en un vehículo.

カップルと一緒にいると気まずく感じる人。乗り物の不要な三番目の車輪のように。

커플과 함께 있으면서 어색함을 느끼는 사람. 탈것에 불필요한 세 번째 바퀴 같은 존재.

Examples

I felt like a third wheel.
我感觉自己像个电灯泡。
Me sentí como un tercero.
邪魔者になった気がした。
나는 전등 같았어.
Don't want to be the third wheel.
不想当电灯泡。
No quiero ser la vela.
お邪魔虫になりたくない。
전등 되고 싶지 않아.
Stop being such a third wheel.
别当电灯泡了。
Deja de ser la vela.
そんなにお邪魔虫にならないで。
그만 좀 끼어들어.
Third wheeling again.
又当电灯泡了。
Siendo la vela otra vez.
また邪魔者だ。
또 전등이야.

Pronunciation

/θɜːd wiːl/

Usage Guide

Context: dating, social situations, awkwardness

Tone: self-deprecating, awkward

✓ Do Say

Third wheel.
电灯泡
Tercero
邪魔者
전등 신세.
Third wheeling.
当电灯泡
Siendo la vela
邪魔をしている
끼어 있는 중.
Feel like a third wheel.
感觉像电灯泡
Me siento como la vela
邪魔者みたい
전등 같은 느낌이야.

✗ Don't Say

Universal expression
通用表达
Expresión universal
世界共通の表現
범용적인 표현
Usually self-deprecating
通常是自嘲
Usualmente autodespreciativo
通常自虐的
보통 자조적으로 사용

Common Mistakes

Universal English
Can be verb: third wheeling

Origin & History

From the image of a useless third wheel on a bicycle or carriage. Universal expression.

Etymology: From unnecessary third wheel on vehicle

First recorded: Modern idiom from 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: 20th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common dating trope; Universal expression

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking countries.

Variations

Third wheelThird wheelingThird wheeler