Inklingo

How to Say "third" in Spanish

English → Spanish

tercer

tehr-SEHR/teɾˈseɾ/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'tercer' when it directly precedes a masculine singular noun, acting as an abbreviation of 'tercero'.
A storybook illustration showing three red apples lined up horizontally on a simple surface. The apple at the third position in the sequence is clearly encircled by a bright yellow line.

Examples

Este es el tercer libro que leo este mes.

This is the third book I'm reading this month.

Vivimos en el tercer piso del edificio.

We live on the third floor of the building.

Ganó el tercer premio en la competencia de natación.

He won third prize in the swimming competition.

The Shortened Adjective

"tercer" is a shortened (apocopated) form of the adjective "tercero" (third). It must be used before any singular masculine noun (like 'día' or 'lugar').

Placement Rule

Only use 'tercer' when it comes before the noun. If the word 'third' stands alone or comes after the noun, you must use the full form, 'tercero'.

Forgetting to Shorten

Mistake: “El tercero día.”

Correction: El tercer día. (The 'o' is always dropped when it precedes a singular masculine noun.)

tercero

tehr-SEH-roh/teɾˈseɾo/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'tercero' when it follows a noun, or when it stands alone as a pronoun or noun substitute, referring to the third item or person in a sequence.
Three brightly colored, identical apples lined up in a row on a surface. The third apple is distinctively highlighted with a soft glow.

Examples

Mi tercer coche fue un deportivo.

My third car was a sports car.

Este es el tercer libro que leo esta semana.

This is the third book I've read this week.

Ella vive en la tercera planta de este edificio.

She lives on the third floor of this building.

Mi hermana es la tercera de cuatro hijos.

My sister is the third of four children.

The Shortening Rule (Apocope)

When 'tercero' is used directly before a singular masculine noun (like 'día' or 'piso'), it shortens to 'tercer'. (e.g., el tercer día).

Gender Agreement

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'tercero' changes its ending to match the noun it describes: 'tercero' (masculine) and 'tercera' (feminine).

Forgetting to Shorten

Mistake: “El tercero piso.”

Correction: El tercer piso. Remember to drop the '-o' before masculine singular nouns.

When to use 'tercer' vs. 'tercero'

The most common mistake is using 'tercero' before a masculine singular noun. Remember that 'tercer' is the shortened form used *only* before a masculine singular noun, while 'tercero' is used in all other situations, including after the noun or when it stands alone.

Related Translations

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