SU(3) gauge theory ($SU(3)$ gauge theory)

An SU(3) gauge theory has eight gauge fields, one for each generator of $SU(3)$. A vacuum expectation value of one scalar in the fundamental representation generically leaves an $SU(2)$ subgroup unbroken.

For a complex fundamental scalar with vacuum expectation value proportional to $(0,0,v)$, the stabilizer is the $SU(2)$ acting on the first two components. Five broken generators produce five massive vector bosons, while three gauge bosons remain massless and one radial scalar remains physical.