trillizos
/tɾiʝiθos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "triplets" is translated into Spanish as trillizos.
trillizos is used to refer to three children born to the same mother at the same time.
What does it mean word for word?
The word contains the prefix tri-, which denotes the number three.
Which one should you use?
The form you use depends on the gender of the children. Use trillizos if the triplets are all boys or a mix of boys and girls. Use trillizas specifically when all three children are girls.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes gender to specify the sex of the children. Use trillizos for a mixed-gender group or all males. Use trillizas for a group of all females. If you are referring to a single female triplet, use trilliza.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾiʝiθos/
Did you know?
- While trillizos refers to three children, the word for twins is gemelos if they look alike and mellizos if they do not. This distinction is common in Spain but varies across Latin America.
- In Spanish, the suffix -izos comes from -izo, which originally indicated a tendency or a quality. This is the same root used in cobrizo to describe something with a copper-like color.
- In some regions, the term trillizos is colloquially used to describe any group of three things that are identical or very similar, not just human siblings.
Examples in context
- Mary está embarazada de trillizos.Mary is pregnant with triplets.This sentence is useful for describing someone who is pregnant with trillizos.Tatoeba #8077217 by Seael, translation #7126928 by CM
- ¡Los trillizos son adorables!The triplets are adorable!
- Los trillizos nacieron con pocos minutos de diferencia.The triplets were born within a few minutes of each other.
- ¡Qué suerte tienen los padres de tener tres mellizos tan encantadores!The parents are so lucky to have three delightful triplets!
- En Argentina nacieron tres trigemelos.In Argentina, three triplets were born.
- Ella tiene trillizos muy inteligentes.She has very intelligent triplets.
- ¿Viste que los vecinos tienen trillizos?Did you see that the neighbors have triplets?
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are talking about a friend's new family.
- DanielLucía, ¿supiste lo de la familia de Pedro?Lucía, did you hear about Pedro's family?
- LucíaNo, ¿qué pasó?No, what happened?
- Daniel¡Ahora tiene trillizos!He has triplets now!
- Lucía¡Qué increíble noticia!What incredible news!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
