uno, dos, tres
/ˈuno ˈdos ˈtɾes/word by word
The phrase uno, dos, tres is how you say one, two, three in Spanish.
This phrase represents the first three cardinal numbers used for counting.
How does it change in a sentence?
While the cardinal number is uno, it changes its form when placed before a noun. You should use un when it precedes a masculine singular noun and una when it precedes a feminine singular noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈuno ˈdos ˈtɾes/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, counting to three is often used as a social cue for a synchronized action, such as jumping into a pool or taking a group photo, similar to how English speakers use 'ready, set, go'.
- While uno means 'one', it is also used as an indefinite pronoun meaning 'someone' or 'one' in a general sense, such as 'one never knows'.
- The word dos is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'two', as both descend from the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root '*dwóh₁'.
Examples in context
- Compré tres libros.I bought three books.
- Uno, dos, tres, ¡ya!One, two, three, go!
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are playing a simple counting game.
- ElenaAlejandro, cuenta uno, dos, tres.Alejandro, count one, two, three.
- AlejandroUno, dos, tres, ¡aquí voy!One, two, three, here I come!
- Elena¡Te atrapé, Alejandro!I caught you, Alejandro!
- Alejandro¡Qué rápida eres, Elena!You are so fast, Elena!
