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A2 noun #4,000 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

trimestre

Top 4,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces trimestre en 30 secondes

Explication trimestre in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize 'trimestre' as a word used for school. In many Spanish-speaking countries, school children don't just have one long year; they have three parts. Think of it like a 'term' in English. You might use it in very simple sentences like 'Tengo tres exámenes este trimestre' (I have three exams this term). At this stage, just remember that 'tri' means three and it refers to three months. It is a masculine word, so you say 'el trimestre'. You don't need to worry about complex business or medical uses yet; just focus on the school calendar and basic time tracking. If you are learning Spanish in a language school, your course might also be divided into trimestres.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'trimestre' to talk about your plans and work. You should be able to use ordinal numbers with it, like 'el primer trimestre' or 'el segundo trimestre'. Remember the special rule: 'primero' becomes 'primer' when it's right before 'trimestre'. You might say, 'En el primer trimestre de este año, quiero aprender 500 palabras nuevas'. You can also use it to talk about payments or schedules, such as 'Pago el gimnasio cada trimestre'. This level is about expanding the word's use from just 'school' to 'daily life and routines'. You should also be aware of the plural form, 'trimestres', and use it correctly with numbers: 'Llevo dos trimestres viviendo en Madrid'.

At the B1 level, you will encounter 'trimestre' in more professional and formal contexts. You should be comfortable discussing 'informes trimestrales' (quarterly reports) or 'objetivos del trimestre' (quarterly goals). You will also see it in news stories about the economy, such as 'La economía creció el pasado trimestre'. At this level, you should also understand the word's role in health contexts, specifically pregnancy stages. You should be able to explain the difference between a 'trimestre' (3 months), a 'bimestre' (2 months), and a 'semestre' (6 months). Your ability to use prepositions like 'durante', 'al final de', and 'a principios de' with 'trimestre' should be more natural now.

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At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'trimestre' in various social and specialized domains. You should be able to discuss the implications of 'evaluaciones trimestrales' in the workplace or education system in detail. You might use the word to talk about complex fiscal responsibilities, like 'la liquidación trimestral del IVA' for freelancers. You should also be able to use the word in more abstract or metaphorical ways, or within complex sentence structures using the subjunctive: 'Espero que este trimestre sea más tranquilo que el anterior'. You can distinguish between 'trimestre' and 'cuatrimestre' in university settings and understand the cultural context of how these periods affect the rhythm of life in different countries.

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At the C1 level, 'trimestre' is a word you use with total precision in high-level academic or professional discourse. You might analyze 'tendencias trimestrales' (quarterly trends) in a market analysis or write a formal report using the term. You should be familiar with its etymology and how it relates to other Latin-based time measurements. You can use it in sophisticated arguments, such as discussing how the 'división trimestral del calendario académico' affects student mental health. Your usage should be flawless, including the correct use of apocope (primer/tercer) and gender agreement. You should also be able to understand the word in literature or formal journalism where it might be used to segment historical or narrative periods.

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At the C2 level, 'trimestre' is a simple building block used to construct complex ideas. You can use it fluently in any context, from a medical symposium on fetal development to a high-stakes board meeting. You understand all the subtle connotations and cultural associations of the word in different Spanish-speaking regions. For example, you know how 'el tercer trimestre' in a Spanish school implies the heat of June and the stress of final exams. You can play with the word in creative writing or use it in dense technical documentation without hesitation. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item, but a tool for precise temporal and conceptual organization in your master-level command of the Spanish language.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

trimestre en 30 secondes

Trimestre means a period of three months, used widely in Spanish for school terms, financial quarters, and the stages of pregnancy development.
It is a masculine noun ('el trimestre') and requires the shortened forms 'primer' and 'tercer' when used as an ordinal adjective before it.
The word is essential for navigating administrative tasks in Spain and Latin America, such as paying taxes or understanding academic report cards.
While similar to 'cuatrimestre' (4 months) and 'semestre' (6 months), 'trimestre' specifically refers to exactly three months of time.

The word trimestre is a fundamental noun in the Spanish language used to describe a specific chronological block of time consisting of three consecutive months. Etymologically derived from the Latin trimestris (from tri- meaning 'three' and mensis meaning 'month'), it serves as a cornerstone for organizing academic, financial, and biological schedules. In the Spanish-speaking world, time is frequently compartmentalized into these three-month segments to facilitate better planning, reporting, and evaluation. Whether you are a student awaiting your report card, a business professional analyzing quarterly earnings, or an expectant parent tracking the development of a fetus, the concept of the trimestre is omnipresent and essential for precise communication.

Academic Context: In Spain and many Latin American countries, the school year is typically divided into three terms. Each trimestre ends with a series of evaluations and a formal report of grades. Students often refer to the 'primer trimestre' (September to December), 'segundo trimestre' (January to March), and 'tercer trimestre' (April to June).

He sacado muy buenas notas en este primer trimestre del curso escolar.

Financial and Business Use: In the corporate world, a trimestre corresponds to a fiscal quarter. Companies release their 'informes trimestrales' (quarterly reports) to update shareholders on profit and loss. This is crucial for economic forecasting and tax obligations, such as the 'declaración trimestral del IVA' (quarterly VAT declaration) common in Spain.

Furthermore, the word is indispensable in medical contexts, specifically pregnancy. A human gestation period is divided into three distinct trimestres, each characterized by specific developmental milestones. Doctors will often ask, '¿En qué trimestre estás?' (Which trimester are you in?) to determine the necessary tests and care. Understanding this word allows learners to navigate bureaucratic systems, educational institutions, and healthcare settings with much greater confidence, as it provides a specific frame of reference for duration that 'month' or 'year' cannot precisely capture.

Las náuseas suelen desaparecer al comenzar el segundo trimestre del embarazo.

Temporal Division: The year is naturally composed of four trimestres. The first (enero, febrero, marzo), the second (abril, mayo, junio), the third (julio, agosto, septiembre), and the fourth (octubre, noviembre, diciembre). This division is standard for statistical data and seasonal planning.

Nuestra empresa evalúa el rendimiento de los empleados cada trimestre.

El próximo trimestre lanzaremos el nuevo producto al mercado.

Durante el último trimestre, las precipitaciones han sido escasas.

Using trimestre correctly involves understanding its relationship with adjectives, prepositions, and specific verbs. Because it is a masculine noun, any accompanying adjective must agree in gender and number. It is most frequently modified by ordinal numbers (primer, segundo, tercer, cuarto) to indicate its position within a year or a cycle. Note that 'primero' and 'tercero' drop the 'o' when they precede the masculine singular noun 'trimestre', becoming 'primer' and 'tercer'. This is a common point of grammatical focus for intermediate learners.

Ordinal Adjectives: When talking about specific periods, use: 'el primer trimestre', 'el segundo trimestre', 'el tercer trimestre', or 'el cuarto trimestre'. Example: 'Estamos en el segundo trimestre del año fiscal'.

El primer trimestre suele ser el más difícil para los nuevos estudiantes.

Prepositional Usage: Common prepositions include 'en' (in), 'durante' (during), and 'por' (by/per). 'En el trimestre' refers to a point within that time, while 'durante el trimestre' emphasizes the span of time. 'Trimestre a trimestre' means 'quarter by quarter'.

Verbs often paired with trimestre include 'empezar' (to start), 'terminar' (to end), 'evaluar' (to evaluate), and 'pagar' (to pay). In an academic setting, you might 'aprobar el trimestre' (pass the term) or 'suspender el trimestre' (fail the term). In a business setting, you 'cerrar el trimestre' (close the quarter), which refers to completing the accounting for that period. The flexibility of the word allows it to function as the subject of a sentence, a direct object, or part of an adverbial phrase of time.

¿Cuándo termina el trimestre escolar en este país?

Pluralization: The plural is 'trimestres'. Use it when referring to multiple periods: 'Llevo dos trimestres estudiando español'.

Los trimestres de invierno suelen ser muy productivos para la oficina.

Voy a pagar el alquiler por trimestre adelantado.

El análisis muestra una mejora trimestre a trimestre.

You will encounter trimestre in a variety of real-world environments, making it a high-frequency word for anyone living or working in a Spanish-speaking society. In the education sector, it is the heartbeat of the calendar. Teachers use it constantly when discussing curricula: 'Para este trimestre, el objetivo es dominar el pasado simple'. Parents hear it during 'reuniones de trimestre' (term meetings) where they discuss their children's progress. It is the natural division of the school year, providing a sense of beginning, middle, and end that helps students manage their workload.

In the Media and News: Financial news reports frequently use this term. You will hear anchors say: 'El PIB creció un 2% en el último trimestre'. This refers to the Gross Domestic Product growth over the last three months, a standard metric for economic health.

El banco central anunció que la inflación bajó en el tercer trimestre.

Health and Wellness: Expectant mothers are very familiar with this word. Pregnancy apps, medical brochures, and doctors use it to categorize the stages of fetal growth. 'El primer trimestre es crucial para el desarrollo de los órganos'.

In administrative settings, you might hear about 'pagos trimestrales' for utilities, gym memberships, or insurance premiums. Many services offer a discount if you pay by the trimestre rather than monthly. In the workplace, 'objetivos trimestrales' (quarterly goals) are common in management strategies like OKRs (Objectives and Key Results). Hearing this word usually signals a period of transition, evaluation, or financial settling, making it a key marker of time in adult life.

He tenido que ir al médico tres veces este trimestre.

El informe de ventas del primer trimestre ya está disponible.

Durante el último trimestre del año, solemos tener mucho trabajo.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using trimestre is assuming its gender. Since many Spanish words ending in 'e' can be tricky, students often say 'la trimestre' by mistake. It is strictly masculine: el trimestre. Another common pitfall is the confusion between trimestre, cuatrimestre, and semestre. While 'trimestre' is three months, 'cuatrimestre' is four, and 'semestre' is six. In some university systems, a 'cuatrimestre' is used to describe a teaching term, even if it doesn't last exactly four months, which can be confusing for newcomers.

Ordinal Adjective Apocope: Learners often forget to drop the 'o' in 'primero' and 'tercero'. Saying 'el primero trimestre' is grammatically incorrect; it must be 'el primer trimestre'. This rule (apocope) applies to all masculine singular nouns.

Incorrecto: El primero trimestre. Correcto: El primer trimestre.

Translation of 'Quarter': In financial English, we say 'first quarter' or 'Q1'. While 'cuarto' means 'quarter' (1/4), in Spanish business contexts, we don't usually say 'el primer cuarto' to mean three months; we say 'el primer trimestre'. Using 'cuarto' in this sense sounds like a literal translation from English.

Prepositional errors are also common. English speakers might say 'en el fin del trimestre' (at the end of the trimester), but a more natural Spanish phrasing is 'al final del trimestre'. Additionally, when expressing frequency, some might say 'cada tres trimestres' when they actually mean 'cada trimestre' (every three months). It is important to distinguish between the length of the period and the frequency of the event. Finally, ensure you use the correct plural form 'trimestres'—avoiding the English 'trimesters' spelling with an 's' inside the word.

Incorrecto: Llevo dos trimestros aquí. Correcto: Llevo dos trimestres aquí.

Incorrecto: Pago la renta cada tres trimestres (unless you mean every 9 months!). Correcto: Pago la renta cada trimestre.

Incorrecto: La trimestre es larga. Correcto: El trimestre es largo.

To expand your vocabulary beyond trimestre, it is helpful to look at other time-division words in Spanish. The prefix system is very consistent: bi- (two), tri- (three), cuatri- (four), and se- (six). Understanding these allows you to discuss any fiscal or academic calendar with precision. While 'trimestre' is the most common for school and tax cycles, 'semestre' is the standard for university courses in many regions, and 'bimestre' is often used for utility billing (like electricity or water) in certain countries.

Trimestre vs. Cuatrimestre: A 'trimestre' is 3 months. A 'cuatrimestre' is 4 months. In Spanish universities, the year is often split into two 'cuatrimestres' (roughly September-January and February-June), even though they are technically longer than three months but shorter than a full semester.

Este cuatrimestre tengo cinco asignaturas diferentes.

Trimestre vs. Semestre: A 'semestre' is a 6-month period. It is used in banking for interest payments (intereses semestrales) and in some academic settings. Two 'trimestres' make up one 'semestre'.

Other related terms include 'temporada' (season/period), 'ciclo' (cycle), and 'etapa' (stage). While 'trimestre' is a fixed duration of 90 days, 'temporada' is more flexible—like 'la temporada de fútbol' or 'la temporada de rebajas'. 'Etapa' is often used in development, such as 'la etapa inicial' of a project. However, when precision is required in a professional or legal document, 'trimestre' is the preferred term because of its unambiguous definition. Learning these distinctions will help you sound more like a native speaker and less like you are translating directly from English.

El pago es bimestral, es decir, cada dos meses.

Estamos en la etapa final del proyecto este trimestre.

El semestre académico incluye dos periodos de exámenes.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The root '-mestre' is shared with 'semestre' (six months) and comes from the same Indo-European root as 'moon', as months were originally tracked by lunar cycles.

Guide de prononciation

UK /trɪˈmɛstreɪ/

US /triˈmɛstreɪ/

The stress is on the second syllable: tri-MES-tre.

Rime avec

semestre silvestre ecuestre terrestre bimestre alpestre campestre pedestre

Erreurs fréquentes

Stressing the first syllable (TRI-mestre).
Pronouncing the 'tri' like the English word 'try'.
Adding an 's' at the end when it's singular (trimestres).
Making the 'e' at the end sound like an 'i' (trimestri).
Failing to roll or tap the 'r' slightly.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the Latin root 'tri'.

Écriture 3/5

Requires remembering the 'e' ending and the primer/tercer rule.

Expression orale 3/5

Stress on the second syllable is key.

Écoute 2/5

Distinct sound, usually clear in context.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

mes tres año primero segundo

Apprends ensuite

semestre bimestre anual fiscal evaluación

Avancé

estacionalidad periodo contable gestación apocope

Grammaire à connaître

Apocope of Ordinal Numbers

Primero -> Primer trimestre, Tercero -> Tercer trimestre.

Masculine Gender for -e nouns

El trimestre, el puente, el coche.

Agreement of Adjectives

Trimestre largo, trimestres cortos.

Prepositions of Time

En un trimestre, por un trimestre, durante el trimestre.

Future with 'Próximo'

El próximo trimestre iré a España.

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Exemples par niveau

El primer trimestre termina en diciembre.

The first term ends in December.

Use 'primer' (not primero) before the masculine noun.

Tengo muchos libros este trimestre.

I have many books this term.

This shows possession within a time period.

¿Es difícil el segundo trimestre?

Is the second term difficult?

Question structure with a masculine noun.

Mi clase de español dura un trimestre.

My Spanish class lasts one term.

'Dura' is the verb for 'to last'.

En el tercer trimestre hay vacaciones.

In the third term, there are holidays.

'Hay' means 'there is' or 'there are'.

El trimestre tiene tres meses.

The trimester has three months.

Direct definition in a sentence.

No me gusta estudiar en este trimestre.

I don't like studying in this term.

'Este' is the masculine demonstrative adjective.

Hola, ¿cómo va el trimestre?

Hello, how is the term going?

Informal greeting using 'ir' to describe progress.

Voy a pagar el gimnasio por trimestre.

I am going to pay for the gym by quarter.

Using 'por' to indicate the unit of payment.

El próximo trimestre viajaré a México.

Next quarter I will travel to Mexico.

Future tense with 'próximo'.

He trabajado mucho durante este trimestre.

I have worked a lot during this quarter.

Present perfect tense with 'durante'.

Cada trimestre tenemos una reunión familiar.

Every quarter we have a family meeting.

'Cada' means 'every' and precedes the noun.

El primer trimestre del año es muy frío.

The first quarter of the year is very cold.

Ordinal number 'primer' in a descriptive sentence.

¿Cuándo recibes las notas del trimestre?

When do you receive the term's grades?

'Notas' are grades in an academic context.

Ese trimestre fue muy especial para mí.

That quarter was very special for me.

Preterite tense 'fue' (was).

Solo faltan dos semanas para acabar el trimestre.

There are only two weeks left to finish the term.

'Acabar' is a synonym for 'terminar'.

Las ventas de la empresa subieron este trimestre.

The company's sales went up this quarter.

Business context with 'ventas'.

Estoy en el segundo trimestre de mi embarazo.

I am in the second trimester of my pregnancy.

Medical context; 'embarazo' means pregnancy.

Debemos presentar el informe trimestral el lunes.

We must present the quarterly report on Monday.

'Trimestral' is the adjective form.

El presupuesto para el tercer trimestre es limitado.

The budget for the third quarter is limited.

'Presupuesto' means budget.

Si apruebas este trimestre, te compraré un regalo.

If you pass this term, I will buy you a gift.

Conditional sentence 'Si...'

La inflación ha bajado un poco este trimestre.

Inflation has gone down a bit this quarter.

Economic context.

He decidido ahorrar dinero cada trimestre.

I have decided to save money every quarter.

'Ahorrar' means to save money.

El profesor evaluará vuestro progreso al final del trimestre.

The teacher will evaluate your progress at the end of the term.

Future tense 'evaluará'.

Los autónomos deben declarar el IVA cada trimestre.

Freelancers must declare VAT every quarter.

'Autónomos' refers to self-employed workers.

Es fundamental analizar los datos trimestre a trimestre.

It is fundamental to analyze the data quarter by quarter.

Adverbial phrase 'trimestre a trimestre'.

El tercer trimestre del embarazo suele ser el más agotador.

The third trimester of pregnancy is usually the most exhausting.

'Agotador' means exhausting.

La rentabilidad ha mejorado significativamente este trimestre.

Profitability has improved significantly this quarter.

'Rentabilidad' is profitability.

No creo que el próximo trimestre sea tan productivo.

I don't think the next quarter will be as productive.

Subjunctive 'sea' after 'no creo que'.

La universidad divide el año en dos cuatrimestres y un trimestre de verano.

The university divides the year into two four-month periods and a summer term.

Comparison between different period types.

El banco central prevé un estancamiento para el último trimestre.

The central bank predicts stagnation for the last quarter.

'Prevé' (predicts/forecasts).

Suspendí una asignatura el trimestre pasado, pero voy a recuperarla.

I failed a subject last term, but I'm going to make it up.

'Suspender' means to fail an exam/class.

La volatilidad del mercado se acentuó durante el segundo trimestre.

Market volatility became more pronounced during the second quarter.

Advanced vocabulary: 'volatilidad', 'acentuó'.

Se espera un repunte del consumo en el último trimestre del año.

An uptick in consumption is expected in the last quarter of the year.

Passive voice 'Se espera'.

La segmentación trimestral permite un control exhaustivo de los gastos.

Quarterly segmentation allows for exhaustive control of expenses.

Noun phrase 'segmentación trimestral'.

A pesar de los desafíos, el trimestre cerró con balance positivo.

Despite the challenges, the quarter closed with a positive balance.

'A pesar de' means 'despite'.

El informe detalla las anomalías detectadas en el primer trimestre.

The report details the anomalies detected in the first quarter.

Formal verb 'detalla'.

La planificación trimestral es clave para la viabilidad del proyecto.

Quarterly planning is key to the project's viability.

'Viabilidad' means viability.

Los indicadores macroeconómicos del trimestre sugieren una recesión.

The quarter's macroeconomic indicators suggest a recession.

Complex subject with 'indicadores'.

El rendimiento académico fluctuó considerablemente a lo largo del trimestre.

Academic performance fluctuated considerably throughout the term.

'A lo largo de' means 'throughout'.

La periodicidad trimestral de las evaluaciones fomenta una cultura de mejora continua.

The quarterly frequency of evaluations fosters a culture of continuous improvement.

Highly formal 'periodicidad' and 'fomenta'.

La empresa ha logrado mitigar las pérdidas registradas en el trimestre anterior.

The company has managed to mitigate the losses recorded in the previous quarter.

'Mitigar' means to lessen or mitigate.

La fluctuación del PIB en este trimestre es un síntoma de inestabilidad estructural.

The GDP fluctuation this quarter is a symptom of structural instability.

Technical economic terminology.

El análisis pormenorizado del trimestre revela fallos en la cadena de suministro.

The detailed analysis of the quarter reveals flaws in the supply chain.

'Pormenorizado' means detailed or thorough.

Resulta imperativo ajustar la estrategia de cara al próximo trimestre fiscal.

It is imperative to adjust the strategy ahead of the next fiscal quarter.

'Resulta imperativo' is a formal way to say 'it is necessary'.

La cadencia trimestral de la vida universitaria impone un ritmo frenético.

The quarterly cadence of university life imposes a frantic pace.

'Cadencia' refers to rhythm or pace.

Se han observado variaciones estacionales que distorsionan los resultados del trimestre.

Seasonal variations have been observed that distort the quarter's results.

Complex sentence with relative clause.

La auditoría externa validó la transparencia de las cuentas de este trimestre.

The external audit validated the transparency of this quarter's accounts.

'Auditoría' means audit.

Collocations courantes

primer trimestre

informe trimestral

trimestre escolar

durante el trimestre

cada trimestre

último trimestre

trimestre fiscal

segundo trimestre

pago trimestral

evaluación trimestral

Phrases Courantes

Al final del trimestre

— At the end of the three-month period.

Tendremos una fiesta al final del trimestre.

A principios de trimestre

— At the beginning of the three-month period.

Compramos los libros a principios de trimestre.

Trimestre a trimestre

— Step by step, every three months.

Estamos creciendo trimestre a trimestre.

Por trimestre

— By the quarter (unit of measure).

Se alquila por trimestre.

En el transcurso del trimestre

— Over the course of the quarter.

Mucho ha cambiado en el transcurso del trimestre.

Cierre de trimestre

— The act of finishing the accounting or work for a quarter.

Estamos muy ocupados con el cierre de trimestre.

Notas del trimestre

— Academic grades for that specific term.

Mis notas del trimestre son excelentes.

Primer trimestre de embarazo

— The first 12-13 weeks of gestation.

El primer trimestre de embarazo es delicado.

Reunión de trimestre

— A meeting held once every three months.

La reunión de trimestre es mañana a las diez.

Balance del trimestre

— The summary of results for the period.

El balance del trimestre ha sido negativo.

Souvent confondu avec

trimestre vs cuatrimestre

A cuatrimestre is 4 months, while a trimestre is 3 months.

trimestre vs semestre

A semestre is 6 months, which is two trimestres.

trimestre vs bimestre

A bimestre is 2 months.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Hacer el trimestre"

— To make enough money or achieve goals to justify the quarter's work.

Con esta venta, ya hemos hecho el trimestre.

informal business

"No llegar al final del trimestre"

— To run out of resources (money/energy) before the period ends.

Con estos gastos, no llegamos al final del trimestre.

neutral

"Salvar el trimestre"

— To manage to get good results at the last minute.

El examen final me ayudó a salvar el trimestre.

student slang

"Trimestre en blanco"

— A quarter where nothing was achieved or recorded.

Fue un trimestre en blanco para la investigación.

formal

"Estar en el tercer trimestre"

— Being close to giving birth (pregnancy).

Ya está en el tercer trimestre, falta poco.

neutral

"Pasar el trimestre"

— To successfully complete the period.

Lo importante es pasar el trimestre sin deudas.

neutral

"Planificar a un trimestre vista"

— To plan with a three-month horizon.

Siempre trabajamos a un trimestre vista.

business

"Cargar el trimestre"

— To have an excessive amount of work during those months.

Se nos ha cargado mucho el trimestre.

informal

"Trimestre de gracia"

— A three-month period where one doesn't have to pay or follow rules.

El banco nos dio un trimestre de gracia.

financial

"El trimestre de la verdad"

— The quarter where the final results will be decided.

Este es el trimestre de la verdad para el equipo.

journalistic

Facile à confondre

trimestre vs cuatrimestre

Both refer to academic terms.

Trimestre is 3 months, cuatrimestre is 4 months. Universities often use cuatrimestres.

El primer cuatrimestre va de septiembre a enero.

trimestre vs semestre

Both are divisions of the year.

Semestre is half a year (6 months).

El primer semestre del año incluye dos trimestres.

trimestre vs bimestre

Similar prefix system.

Bimestre is 2 months.

Recibo la factura de la luz cada bimestre.

trimestre vs estación

Seasons (estaciones) also last about 3 months.

Estación refers to weather/nature (winter, spring), while trimestre is a calendar division.

El invierno dura un trimestre aproximadamente.

trimestre vs cuarto

In English, we say 'quarter'.

In Spanish, 'cuarto' usually means 'room' or 'fourth part', but for time, 'trimestre' is more common.

El tercer trimestre (not 'tercer cuarto') del año.

Structures de phrases

El [ordinal] trimestre es [adjective].

El primer trimestre es largo.

Tengo [noun] este trimestre.

Tengo tres clases este trimestre.

Durante el trimestre, [subject] [verb].

Durante el trimestre, nosotros aprendimos mucho.

Espero que el trimestre [subjunctive].

Espero que el trimestre sea bueno.

Debido a [noun], el trimestre cerró con [noun].

Debido a la crisis, el trimestre cerró con pérdidas.

La cadencia del trimestre [verb] la [noun].

La cadencia del trimestre determina la productividad.

Voy a [verb] por trimestre.

Voy a pagar por trimestre.

Al final del trimestre, [verb].

Al final del trimestre, recibo las notas.

Famille de mots

Noms

trimestre

Adjectifs

trimestral

Apparenté

mes

bimestre

cuatrimestre

semestre

mensual

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in academic and business contexts.

Erreurs courantes

La trimestre → El trimestre
Trimestre is a masculine noun despite ending in 'e'.
El primero trimestre → El primer trimestre
Primero drops the 'o' before masculine singular nouns.
Un trimestre tiene cuatro meses → Un trimestre tiene tres meses
Learners often confuse 'trimestre' (3) with 'cuatrimestre' (4).
Pago cada tres trimestres → Pago cada trimestre
If you pay every 3 months, that is 'cada trimestre'. 'Cada tres trimestres' would be every 9 months.
El tercero trimestre → El tercer trimestre
Tercero drops the 'o' before masculine singular nouns.

Astuces

Watch the Adjective

Remember to use 'primer' and 'tercer' instead of 'primero' and 'tercero'. This is a very common mistake for learners.

Prefix Power

Learn the prefixes: Bi (2), Tri (3), Cuatri (4). It makes learning all time periods much easier.

School Rhythms

In Spain, the end of a trimestre usually means a big exam period and then a break. Use this word to talk to locals about their schedule.

Tax Deadlines

If you live in Spain as a freelancer, the word 'trimestre' will become very important for your tax filings (IVA).

Stress it Right

Put the emphasis on the 'mes'. tri-MES-tre. Practice saying it out loud five times.

Pregnancy Stages

If you are at the doctor, use 'primer/segundo/tercer trimestre' to describe the stage of pregnancy.

Adverb Form

Use 'trimestralmente' if you want to say 'quarterly' in a formal way.

Context Clues

If you hear 'notas' or 'exámenes', 'trimestre' almost certainly refers to a school term.

Triangle Link

Link 'trimestre' to 'triángulo'. 3 sides, 3 months.

Don't use 'Cuarto'

Avoid translating 'quarter' as 'cuarto' when talking about periods of three months. Use 'trimestre'.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a TRIcycle. It has 3 wheels. A TRI-mestre has 3 months.

Association visuelle

Imagine a pie chart cut into 4 pieces. Each piece represents one trimestre (3 months).

Word Web

enero febrero marzo abril mayo junio julio agosto septiembre octubre noviembre diciembre

Défi

Try to name the four trimestres of the year in Spanish and list one goal you have for each one.

Origine du mot

From the Latin 'trimestris', which is a combination of 'tri-' (three) and 'mensis' (month).

Sens originel : Of three months' duration.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral temporal term.

In the US/UK, we often say 'quarter' for business and 'term' or 'semester' for school. 'Trimester' is almost exclusively used for pregnancy in common English conversation.

Informes trimestrales de la Bolsa de Madrid El tercer trimestre (popular pregnancy book title) Evaluaciones trimestrales en la serie 'Élite'

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Education

Aprobar el trimestre
Notas del trimestre
Exámenes de trimestre
Fin de trimestre

Business

Informe trimestral
Cierre de trimestre
Objetivos trimestrales
Resultados del trimestre

Pregnancy

Primer trimestre de embarazo
Ecografía del segundo trimestre
Molestias del tercer trimestre
Desarrollo fetal

Finance/Taxes

Declaración trimestral
Pago trimestral
Cuota trimestral
Trimestre fiscal

Personal Planning

Metas para el trimestre
Viaje el próximo trimestre
Ahorro trimestral
Cada trimestre

Amorces de conversation

"¿Qué tal te ha ido este trimestre en la universidad?"

"¿Prefieres pagar el alquiler mensual o por trimestre?"

"¿Cuáles son tus objetivos para el próximo trimestre del año?"

"¿Sabes cuándo termina el segundo trimestre escolar este año?"

"¿Cómo suelen ser los resultados de tu empresa en el último trimestre?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escribe sobre tres cosas importantes que lograste en el último trimestre.

Describe cómo te sientes al final de un trimestre escolar o laboral.

¿Qué planes tienes para el próximo trimestre? Escribe una lista detallada.

Compara el primer trimestre del año con el último. ¿Cuál te gusta más?

Escribe sobre un trimestre que cambió tu vida.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Es masculino. Siempre se dice 'el trimestre' o 'un trimestre'. Nunca digas 'la trimestre'.

Puedes decir 'cada trimestre' o 'trimestralmente'. Ambas son correctas y naturales.

Un trimestre tiene 3 meses y un cuatrimestre tiene 4 meses. Las escuelas suelen usar trimestres y las universidades cuatrimestres.

No, se dice 'primer trimestre'. El adjetivo 'primero' pierde la 'o' delante de un sustantivo masculino singular.

Un año tiene exactamente cuatro trimestres (4 x 3 = 12 meses).

Se usa principalmente para dividir los nueve meses del embarazo en tres etapas de tres meses cada una.

Se dice 'informe trimestral'. 'Trimestral' es el adjetivo que significa 'que ocurre cada trimestre'.

Sí, es muy común, especialmente si hablas de estudios, trabajo o dinero.

El plural es 'trimestres'. Solo hay que añadir una 's' al final.

Normalmente incluye enero, febrero y marzo.

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