der Dreier
three
A grade of 3, which usually means “satisfactory” in the German grading system.
EXAMPLE
In Mathematik hat er einen Dreier bekommen.
He got a three in math.
der Dreier
three
der Dreier, die Dreier
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Meanings
der Dreier
threesome
A sexual encounter involving three people.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden sprachen offen über ihren Dreier.
The two of them spoke openly about their threesome.
der Dreier
three-pointer
A basketball shot in which the ball is thrown into the basket from outside the three-point line.
EXAMPLE
Mit einem Dreier in der letzten Sekunde gewann die Mannschaft das Spiel.
The team won the game with a three-pointer in the final second.
der Dreier
three correct numbers
Three numbers correctly guessed in the lottery.
EXAMPLE
Immerhin hatte sie einen Dreier im Lotto.
At least she had three correct numbers in the lottery.
der Dreier
route 3
A bus or tram route numbered 3; also a vehicle serving this route.
EXAMPLE
Zum Bahnhof kommst du am schnellsten mit dem Dreier.
The fastest way to get to the station is to take the number 3.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Dreier, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Dreier |
| genitive | des Dreiers |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Dreier | die Dreier |
| accusative | den Dreier | die Dreier |
| dative | dem Dreier | den Dreiern |
| genitive | des Dreiers | der Dreier |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Dreier' (three) is formed from the number word 'drei' (three) and the ending '-er'. The number three therefore remains recognizable as the basic idea in all its meanings.
EXAMPLE
Der Dreier auf dem Spielschein war leider nicht viel wert.
The three on the lottery ticket was unfortunately not worth much.
Context clue
The intended meaning can usually be recognized from the surrounding words: school and grades point to the mark, basketball to the shot, the lottery to the correct numbers, and a bus or tram to the route.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Klassenarbeit war sie mit ihrem Dreier zufrieden.
After the test, she was satisfied with her three.
Der Trainer lobte den Dreier kurz vor dem Ende des Spiels.
The coach praised the three-pointer shortly before the end of the game.
Wir nehmen am Marktplatz den Dreier zum Bahnhof.
We’ll take the number 3 to the station from the market square.
Typical collocations
When referring to school grades, 'Dreier' (three) often occurs with verbs such as 'bekommen' (to get), 'haben' (to have), or 'schreiben' (to get/write). The phrase 'mit einem Dreier abschneiden' (to get a three) is also used.
EXAMPLE
In der letzten Prüfung hat Jonas einen Dreier geschrieben.
Jonas got a three in the last exam.
Basketball language
In basketball, 'Dreier' (three-pointer) is especially often used with 'werfen' (to shoot), 'treffen' (to make), or 'verwandeln' (to convert). The distance or timing of the shot is often mentioned as well.
EXAMPLE
Die Kapitänin traf kurz vor der Schlusssirene einen wichtigen Dreier.
The captain made an important three-pointer shortly before the final buzzer.
Means of transport
When referring to public transportation, 'der Dreier' (the number 3) often follows 'mit' (with/by) or occurs in phrases such as 'in den Dreier einsteigen' (to get on the number 3). It then refers to the route or vehicle numbered 3.
EXAMPLE
Steig an der nächsten Haltestelle in den Dreier ein.
Get on the number 3 at the next stop.
In real life
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