dos por tres
/dos poɾ tɾes/from spelling rules
The phrase "two times three" in Spanish is translated as dos por tres.
dos por tres is a mathematical expression used to describe the multiplication of two and three.
What does it mean word for word?
In this expression, the word por functions as the mathematical operator for multiplication, literally meaning "by".
Which one should you use?
While dos veces tres literally means "two times three" in a counting sense, dos por tres is the standard way to express the mathematical operation of multiplication.
How do you pronounce it?
/dos poɾ tɾes/
Did you know?
- Beyond mathematics, the phrase de dos por tres is a common idiom meaning 'in a flash' or 'very quickly'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, students memorize multiplication tables by chanting the phrases in a rhythmic, sing-song pattern.
- The mathematical use of por to mean 'times' is a direct descendant of the Latin preposition 'prō', which originally meant 'for' or 'on behalf of'.
Examples in context
- En el examen de matemáticas, tuve que resolver la pregunta: '¿Cuánto es dos veces tres?'In the math exam, I had to solve the question: 'What is two times three?'
- Mi hija me preguntó cuánto eran dos veces tres y le respondí: 'Es igual a seis.'My daughter asked me what was two times three, and I replied: 'It is equal to six.'
- Cuando jugamos a las cartas, necesitamos multiplicar dos por tres para saber cuántas cartas sacar.When we play cards, we need to multiply two by three to know how many cards to draw.
- Dos por tres son seis.Two times three is six.
- Tengo que calcular dos por tres.I have to calculate two times three.
Example conversation
María and Javier are studying math together.
- MaríaJavier, ¿cuánto es dos por tres?Javier, how much is two times three?
- JavierEs seis, María.It's six, María.
- María¡Correcto! Muy bien.Correct! Very good.
- JavierGracias, estoy aprendiendo rápido.Thanks, I am learning fast.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dos, por, tres, CC BY-SA 4.0.
