3 in Spanish = tres

The number 3 in Spanish is pronounced "trehs" (like "trace" without the "ay" sound, with stress on the single syllable), written as "tres", and spelled t-r-e-s.

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

Tres is a single syllable: tres

Step by step:

1. Start with a "t" sound (tongue touches behind upper teeth)
2. Roll into a quick "r" (single tap, not a trill)
3. Say "ehs" (like "yes" but starting with "eh")
4. Put it together: "trehs"
5. It's a single syllable with no stress pattern needed

Common mistakes:

• Pronouncing it like English "trace"—it should be "trehs" with an "eh" sound
• Using an English "r"—the Spanish "r" is a quick tap with the tongue
• Adding extra syllables—it's one syllable, not "ter-es"
• Making the "e" sound like "ay"—it should be a pure "eh" sound

Regional pronunciation differences:

• Most regions: "trehs" with a soft "s"
• Spain (some areas): The "s" might be slightly lisped, closer to "trehth"
• Río de la Plata (Argentina/Uruguay): Sometimes pronounced with a "sh" sound like "trehsh"
• All variations are correct for their respective regions

The Word "Tres"

Spelling: t-r-e-s

• Invariable (doesn't change for gender)
• Masculine noun: el tres
• No accent marks

Origin: From Latin "trēs" meaning "three"

Gender: Like "dos," tres does NOT change based on gender:

• Tres libros (masculine)
• Tres casas (feminine)
• Always "tres"

Practical Usage

Counting: When counting: uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco...

Phone numbers: Each digit is pronounced separately:

• 3 = tres
• Example: 305-3333 = tres-cero-cinco, tres-tres-tres-tres

Prices:

• 3€ = tres euros
• €3.50 = tres euros cincuenta (céntimos)
• €23 = veintitrés euros

Times:

• 3:00 = las tres (feminine plural)
• 3:15 = las tres y cuarto
• 3:30 = las tres y media
• 3:45 = las cuatro menos cuarto / las tres y cuarenta y cinco

Dates:

• The 3rd = el tres
• March 3rd = el tres de marzo
• Uses cardinal number "tres," not ordinal "tercero"

Ages:

• 3 years old = tres años

Addresses:

• Room 3 = habitación tres
• Apartment 3 = apartamento tres
• Floor 3 = piso tres / tercer piso

Compound Numbers with 3

13-39:

• 13 = trece
• 23 = veintitrés (written as one word with accent)
• 30 = treinta
• 33 = treinta y tres (written as three words)
• 43 = cuarenta y tres
• 53 = cincuenta y tres

Important:

• 23 is "veintitrés" (one word with accent on the "e")
• 33+ are "treinta y tres," "cuarenta y tres," etc. (three words)

Regional Variations

Spain: trehs (with soft "s" or slight lisp) Mexico: trehs Argentina/Uruguay: trehsh (with "sh" sound on the "s") Colombia: trehs Most Latin America: trehs

The word itself is universal; only the "s" sound varies slightly.

Common Phrases with 3

de tres en tres: Three by three, in groups of three

los tres / las tres: All three (of them)

• "Los tres hermanos" = All three brothers

tres veces: Three times

• "Tres veces al día" = Three times a day

no hay dos sin tres: Bad/good things come in threes (literally "there's no two without three")

en un tres: In a jiffy, very quickly (short for "en un dos por tres")

ni a la de tres: Not even on the third try, not at all

tres cuartos: Three quarters

• "Tres cuartos de hora" = Three quarters of an hour (45 minutes)

las tres de la tarde: 3 PM

a las tres: At three o'clock

cada tres: Every three

• "Cada tres días" = Every three days

Grammar Notes

Invariable: Like "dos," tres NEVER changes for gender:

• Tres niños (three boys) - masculine
• Tres niñas (three girls) - feminine
• Always "tres"

With articles:

• Los tres = all three (masculine)
• Las tres = all three (feminine)
• El tres = the number three

Ordinal:

• "Third" = tercero/a (not tres)
• El tercer día = the third day (tercero → tercer before masculine nouns)
• La tercera vez = the third time
• Exception: For dates after the 1st, use cardinal: "el tres de mayo"

Writing Numbers

23:

• Written as one word: veintitrés
• With accent on the "e": veintitrés
• NOT "veinte y tres"

33, 43, 53, etc.:

• Written as three words: treinta y tres
• No accent needed
• The "y" (and) connects them

30:

• Written as one word: treinta
• No accent

Quick Takeaways

• 3 in Spanish is tres, pronounced "trehs" as a single syllable
• The "r" is a single tap, not a trill or English "r"
• Like "dos," tres does NOT change for gender—always "tres"
• For times, use "las tres" (plural feminine)
• 23 is "veintitrés" (one word with accent)
• 33+ is "treinta y tres," etc. (three words, no accent)
• Comes from Latin "trēs"
• The "s" pronunciation varies by region (soft "s," lisp, or "sh")
• "No hay dos sin tres" means "things come in threes"

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