unus, duo, tres
The Latin phrase for 'one, two, three' is unus, duo, tres.
This phrase represents the first three cardinal numbers used for counting.
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms provided, unus, duo, tres, are the masculine/nominative forms of these numbers.
Did you know?
- The word duo originates from a Proto-Indo-European root that was specifically inflected as a 'dual' number, distinct from both singular and plural.
- While tres means 'three', it is the root for the English prefix 'tri-' used in words like 'triangle' and 'tricycle'.
- In Latin, the word unus can function as both the number 'one' and the adjective 'single' or 'only'.
Example conversation
Lucia and Quintus are preparing to jump into a pool together.
- LuciaParatusne es, Quinte?Are you ready, Quintus?
- QuintusIta, paratus sum.Yes, I am ready.
- LuciaUnus, duo, tres!One, two, three!
- QuintusSaluimus!We jumped!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries duo, tres, unus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
