tres cuartos
/tɾes kwaɾtos/from spelling rules
The English phrase three fourths is translated into Spanish as tres cuartos.
tres cuartos is used to express the fraction three fourths.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tres (three) and cuartos (fourths/quarters).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word cuartos is masculine and plural in this context, matching the number three. When expressing a fraction of a noun, you must add the preposition de after tres cuartos.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾes kwaɾtos/
Did you know?
- The word cuarto can also mean 'room' in a house, meaning tres cuartos could literally be interpreted as 'three rooms' depending on the context.
- In some Spanish dialects, cuartos is used as a general slang term for 'money' regardless of the actual denomination. Asking for cuartos is like asking for 'cash' or 'dough'.
- When telling time, the phrase y cuarto represents 15 minutes. While it translates to 'and a fourth', it is the standard way to say 'a quarter past' the hour.
Examples in context
- Tres cuartos de este pueblo no vota.Three-fourths of the people of this town don't vote.Tatoeba #2253230 by cueyayotl, translation #2253229 by _undertoad
- Tres cuartos de la superficie de la Tierra están cubiertos de agua.Three-fourths of the earth's surface is covered with water.Tatoeba #2216350 by marcelostockle, translation #277163 by CK
- Tres cuartos de la superficie terrestre están recubiertos de agua.Three-fourths of the earth's surface is water.Tatoeba #621885 by BraveSentry, translation #277108 by CM
- La tierra está cubierta por tres cuartas partes de agua.The Earth is covered by three fourths of water.
- Tres de cada cuatro estudiantes prefieren la música pop.Three out of every four students prefer pop music.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are sharing a large pizza.
- LucíaYa me comí tres cuartos de la pizza.I already ate three fourths of the pizza.
- Daniel¡No puede ser! Solo queda un poco.No way! There is only a little bit left.
- LucíaLo siento, Daniel, tenía mucha hambre.I'm sorry, Daniel, I was very hungry.
- DanielTendremos que pedir otra entonces.We will have to order another one then.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
