trēs
feminine, masculine
The Latin word for three is trēs.
trēs is used as the cardinal number to count three items. It can also function as a noun to refer to the digit or figure 3 itself.
Meaning: cardinal number 3 (num)
Which one should you use?
trēs is the nominative form of the number. When you need the dative or ablative case, the form changes to trībus. Additionally, do not confuse the cardinal number trēs (three) with the ordinal number tertīus (third).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In Latin, trēs is the nominative form and is categorized as both masculine and feminine. For different grammatical cases, such as dative or ablative, use trībus instead.
Did you know?
- The Latin word for 'three' is used in the term 'trinitas', which provided the linguistic foundation for the theological concept of the 'Trinity'.
- Latin shares the 'tr-' root for 'three' with other Indo-European languages, such as the Greek treis and the Sanskrit trayas.
- In some ancient contexts, the number three was considered a complete cycle, often represented by the 'trinity' of elements: beginning, middle and end.
Examples in context
- Trēs virī vulnerātī sunt.Three men were wounded.This sentence shows how to use trēs with a masculine subject.Tatoeba #7084809 by alexmarcelo, translation #5780459 by CK
- Thōmae trēs frātrēs sunt.Tom has three brothers.This sentence illustrates the use of trēs when describing a quantity of brothers.Tatoeba #11827071 by alexmarcelo, translation #1025304 by CK
- Trēs mīlitēs vulnerātī sunt.Three soldiers were wounded.This sentence demonstrates trēs used with a masculine plural noun.Tatoeba #7084805 by alexmarcelo, translation #4494037 by CK
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Claudia and Gaius are in a market looking at fruit.
- ClaudiaQuot poma habēs?How many fruits do you have?
- GaiusTrēs habeō.I have three.
- ClaudiaEstne parvus numerus?Is it a small number?
- GaiusIta, est parvus.Yes, it is small.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “three” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
