tercero
/teɾˈθeɾo/masculine
The Spanish phrase for "third party" is tercero.
The term is used to describe someone not directly involved in a transaction. In legal or business contexts, un tercero is the standard way to refer to an outside party or an intervening person.
Meaning: someone not directly involved in a transaction (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes to the feminine tercera if the person or entity being referred to is grammatically feminine. The plural form terceros is used when referring to multiple third parties.
How do you pronounce it?
/teɾˈθeɾo/
Did you know?
- In Spanish grammar, when tercero comes before a masculine singular noun, it often drops the final 'o' to become tercer. For example, one says el tercer piso rather than el tercero piso.
- In certain Spanish-speaking contexts, calling someone un tercero can subtly imply they are an intruder or an outsider in a private matter.
- The concept of a 'third party' in Spanish can overlap with tercería, which refers to the legal act of an outside party intervening in a lawsuit to claim a right to the property involved.
Examples in context
- Arreglemos el asunto sin terceros.Let us settle the matter without a third party.This sentence demonstrates how to express the idea of settling a matter without the involvement of a tercero.Tatoeba #1262452 by marcelostockle, translation #20897 by Duck
- El acuerdo será vinculante para la primera y segunda parte, así como para la tercera parte involucrada en el contrato.The agreement will be binding for the first and second party, as well as for the third party involved in the contract.
- No dejemos que ninguna entidad ajena afecte nuestra relación personal.Let's not allow any outside entity to affect our personal relationship.
- No quiero que intervenga un tercero.I don't want a third party to intervene.
- El contrato fue firmado por un tercero.The contract was signed by a third party.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are discussing a business deal involving a new intermediary.
- Alejandro¿Debemos contratar a un tercero para este trato?Should we hire a third party for this deal?
- ElenaNo creo que sea necesario, Alejandro.I don't think it is necessary, Alejandro.
- AlejandroPero un tercero podría ayudar con la logística.But a third party could help with the logistics.
- ElenaPodría ser útil, lo voy a considerar.It could be useful, I will consider it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “third party” translations and entries tercero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
