Thirty is the cardinal number 30, used frequently in everyday English for various quantitative expressions.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Represents the number 30.
- Used for counting, age, time, and measurements.
- A basic and common English numeral.
Overview
Thirty is a fundamental cardinal number in English, representing the quantity of 30. It is a key component of the number system, used extensively in counting, measuring, and expressing quantities. As a basic numeral, it is typically one of the first numbers learned by English language learners.
Thirty is used in various contexts, primarily for counting objects, indicating age, specifying time, and denoting measurements. It follows the pattern of tens (ten, twenty, thirty, forty, etc.) and precedes forty. It can be used as a standalone number or as part of larger numbers (e.g., thirty-five).
Counting: 'I have thirty books.'
Age: 'She is thirty years old.'
Time: 'The meeting starts at thirty minutes past the hour.' (though 'half past' is more common)
Measurements: 'The room is thirty feet long.'
Prices: 'The ticket costs thirty dollars.'
Three is the number 3. Thirty is ten times the value of three (3 x 10 = 30).
Thirteen represents the number 13, while thirty represents 30. They sound similar but have very different numerical values.
Thirty-three is a compound number (33), whereas thirty is simply 30. Thirty is the base number for all numbers from thirty to thirty-nine.
Examples
My brother turned thirty last week.
everydayMi hermano cumplió treinta la semana pasada.
The project deadline is the thirtieth of April.
formalLa fecha límite del proyecto es el treinta de abril.
It costs about thirty bucks.
informalCuesta como treinta dólares.
The study involved thirty participants from diverse backgrounds.
academicEl estudio involucró a treinta participantes de diversos orígenes.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
thirty-something
treinta y tantos
thirty minutes past
treinta minutos después de
at thirty
a los treinta
Often Confused With
Thirteen represents the number 13 (1 and 3), while thirty represents the number 30 (3 and 0). They sound similar, especially the '-teen' and '-ty' endings, but are numerically distinct.
Three is the number 3. Thirty is ten times the value of three (3 x 10 = 30). They share the first letter but have different spellings and values.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Thirty is a very common numeral used across all registers of English. It is typically written as a word ('thirty') in less formal contexts or when emphasizing the number itself. In more technical or financial documents, the numeral '30' is often preferred.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse the spelling of thirty with 'thir-tee' or 'thir-tey'. Remember the 'ir' and the 'ty' ending. Also, differentiating 'thirty' (30) from 'thirteen' (13) is crucial.
Tips
Practice Counting Past Twenty
Focus on mastering the numbers from twenty to one hundred. Thirty is a key stepping stone in this sequence.
Thirty vs. Thirteen
Be careful not to confuse 'thirty' (30) with 'thirteen' (13), as they sound similar but represent very different quantities.
Milestone Ages
In many cultures, reaching the age of thirty is considered a significant milestone, often marking the transition into full adulthood or a new phase of life.
Word Origin
The word 'thirty' comes from the Old English 'þrītig', which is derived from 'þrī' meaning 'three' and a suffix indicating 'ten'. It essentially means 'three tens'.
Cultural Context
The age of thirty is often seen as a significant milestone in many Western cultures, marking a transition into a new decade of adulthood. It's sometimes associated with settling down or reaching a certain level of maturity.
Memory Tip
Think of 'thirty' as 'three' and 'ty' (like 'tie'). Imagine tying three things together to get the number 30. Or, remember that thirty is 'three tens'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsThe word 'thirty' is spelled T-H-I-R-T-Y. It's important to note the 'ir' combination in the middle.
The number that comes immediately before thirty is twenty-nine (29). The number that comes immediately after thirty is thirty-one (31).
Whether thirty is considered 'large' depends on the context. In everyday situations like counting items or age, it's a moderate number. In contexts like population size or distance, it would be considered small.
Thirty is often used to indicate the half-hour mark. For example, 'half past two' is the same as 'two thirty'.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct number.
There are ___ days in June.
June has exactly 30 days.
Choose the correct representation for the number 'thirty'.
Which of these represents thirty?
Thirty is the number 30.
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence.
Build a sentence using 'old', 'is', 'she', 'thirty', 'years'.
This is the standard grammatical structure for stating someone's age.
🎉 Score: /3
Summary
Thirty is the cardinal number 30, used frequently in everyday English for various quantitative expressions.
- Represents the number 30.
- Used for counting, age, time, and measurements.
- A basic and common English numeral.
Practice Counting Past Twenty
Focus on mastering the numbers from twenty to one hundred. Thirty is a key stepping stone in this sequence.
Thirty vs. Thirteen
Be careful not to confuse 'thirty' (30) with 'thirteen' (13), as they sound similar but represent very different quantities.
Milestone Ages
In many cultures, reaching the age of thirty is considered a significant milestone, often marking the transition into full adulthood or a new phase of life.
Examples
4 of 4My brother turned thirty last week.
Mi hermano cumplió treinta la semana pasada.
The project deadline is the thirtieth of April.
La fecha límite del proyecto es el treinta de abril.
It costs about thirty bucks.
Cuesta como treinta dólares.
The study involved thirty participants from diverse backgrounds.
El estudio involucró a treinta participantes de diversos orígenes.
Related Content
Learn it in Context
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More general words
about
A1On the subject of; concerning something.
above
A2In a higher place than something or someone.
accident
A2An unfortunate event causing damage or injury.
action
A2The process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim.
after
A2Following in time or place; later than.
afterward
A2At a later or subsequent time.
again
A2Another time; once more.
aged
B1Of a specified age.
alive
A2Living, not dead.
all
A2The whole quantity or extent of something; every single one.
