No hay dos sin tres
/noh AI doss seen TRESS/
If something has happened twice, it is very likely to happen a third time. It's a way of saying that events, especially unfortunate ones, tend to happen in threes.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, this means 'There is no two without three'.
It means that events, especially bad ones, tend to happen in threes.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
Primero se rompió el coche y luego perdí la cartera... ya sabes, no hay dos sin tres.
B1First the car broke down and then I lost my wallet... you know what they say, bad things come in threes.
El equipo ha ganado los dos últimos partidos. ¡Vamos, que no hay dos sin tres!
B2The team has won the last two matches. Let's go, everything comes in threes!
📜 Origin Story
This is a very old proverb found in many cultures, not just Spanish. Its origin is tied to superstition and the human brain's love for finding patterns. The number three has held a special, almost mystical significance in many traditions for centuries (e.g., the Holy Trinity, three wishes in fairy tales). The saying captures this folk belief that events are not random but follow a pattern, with the third event completing the sequence.
⭐ Usage Tips
Mostly for Bad News
While you can use it for good things (like winning three games in a row), it's most commonly used with a sigh when two bad things have happened. It's a way to express resignation or pessimistic expectation that a third mishap is on its way.
It's a Commentary, Not a Command
This phrase is used to comment on a situation that's already unfolding. You wouldn't use it to tell someone to do something three times. It's a passive observation about the flow of events.
❌ Common Pitfalls
It's Not a Law of Physics
Mistake: "Believing that a third event is now guaranteed to happen."
Correction: This is a superstition, not a rule. Use it to express a feeling or a cultural belief, much like an English speaker would say 'knock on wood'. It's about how things *feel*, not how they scientifically are.
🌎 Where It's Used
Spain
Extremely common and universally understood. A core part of everyday speech.
Latin America
Extremely common and universally understood in all Spanish-speaking countries.
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: No hay dos sin tres
Question 1 of 1
Your friend missed his flight, and then the airline lost his luggage. What might he say?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'No hay dos sin tres' for good things?
Yes, you can, although it's less common. For example, if your favorite team wins twice, you might say it before the third game to mean 'Let's get the third win!' In this context, it's more of a hopeful cheer.
Is there a 'No hay tres sin cuatro'?
No, the saying stops at three. It's specifically about the pattern of three events. Saying 'no hay tres sin cuatro' (there's no three without four) would sound strange and incorrect to a native speaker.