Inklingo
← Dictionary

trío

TREE-ohˈtɾio

“trío” means “trio” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

trio, threesome

Also: set of three
NounmA1
General
Three cheerful musicians playing a violin, a flute, and a small drum together.

📝 In Action

Ellos son un trío de amigos inseparables.

A1

They are a trio of inseparable friends.

El trío de jazz tocará en el festival mañana.

A2

The jazz trio will play at the festival tomorrow.

Compramos un trío de jarrones para decorar la entrada.

B1

We bought a set of three vases to decorate the entrance.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • terna (group of three/shortlist)
  • triplete (triplet/hat-trick)

Antonyms

  • dúo (duo)
  • pareja (couple/pair)

Common Collocations

  • trío musical – musical trio
  • un trío de ases – a trio of aces (very successful group)
  • trío arbitral – refereeing team (set of three officials)

Idioms & Expressions

  • formar un trío – to form a group of three (often used for singing or games)

three of a kind

NounmB2
Three identical red heart-suit playing cards shown face up on a wooden table.

📝 In Action

Gané la mano con un trío de reyes.

B2

I won the hand with three of a kind (kings).

Es difícil vencer un trío si solo tienes una pareja.

B2

It's hard to beat three of a kind if you only have a pair.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tercia (three of a kind (Latin America))

Common Collocations

  • trío de ases – three aces

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "trío" in Spanish:

threesome→trio→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: trío

Question 1 of 3

If you have a group of three female singers, how do you refer to them?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
triple(triple) — Adjective
triplicar(to triple) — Verb
trinidad(trinity) — Noun
triunvirato(triumvirate (group of three leaders)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
tíoríofríolío
📚 Etymology▼

From Italian 'trio', which comes from the Latin word for 'three'. It entered most European languages through the world of music.

First recorded: 18th century (in a musical context)

Cognates (Related words)

English: trioFrench: trioItalian: trio

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'trío' only refer to people?

No, it can refer to people, animals, or objects, as long as there are three of them that form a set.

What's the difference between 'tres' and 'un trío'?

'Tres' is just the number 3. 'Un trío' implies that the three things are working together or belong together as a single unit or group.

Can I use 'trío' for three brothers?

Yes, but it's more common to call them 'trillizos' (triplets) if they were born at the same time, or simply 'tres hermanos'.