drie
/dri/
The English word 'three' is translated into Dutch as drie.
drie is used as the cardinal number 3. It can also be used as a noun to refer to the digit or figure 3.
Meaning: cardinal number 3 (num)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/dri/
Did you know?
- In Dutch, the phrase drie keer slapen literally means 'sleeping three times' and is used by children to count down the nights until a big event like a birthday or Christmas.
- The Dutch word drie shares the same ancient root as the English word 'three' and the Sanskrit word 'trayas'.
- In many Dutch-speaking households, when counting to three to start a task, one might say en… twee, drie! to build suspense, much like the English 'ready, set, go!'
Examples in context
- Het is drie uur.It's three o'clock.This sentence is useful for stating the time using drie.Tatoeba #7799518 by MarijnKp, translation #2714672 by CK
- Geef me er drie.Gimme three.This sentence is useful for requesting a quantity using drie.Tatoeba #9456569 by Micsmithel, translation #3106604 by negativeclock
- Ik heb drie neven.I have three cousins.This sentence is useful for stating a quantity of people using drie.Tatoeba #3114261 by PaulP, translation #249766 by CK
- Er zijn drie katten in de tuin.There are three cats in the garden.
- Ik heb drie broers/zussen.I have three siblings.
- Kun je alsjeblieft drie glazen water brengen?Could you please bring three glasses of water?
- 994 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Lucas are ordering drinks at a cafe.
- JuliaIk wil drie kopjes koffie.I want three cups of coffee.
- LucasAlleen drie? Ik wil ook wat.Only three? I want something too.
- JuliaOké, dan maken we het vier.Okay, then we make it four.
- LucasDat is beter, bedankt Julia.That is better, thanks Julia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “three” translations and entries drie, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries drie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
