Tre corde is an Italian musical term used to indicate that the soft pedal or "una corda" on a piano should be released. It literally means "three strings" and refers to the action of the soft pedal shifting the hammers of the piano to strike fewer strings, resulting in a muted and delicate sound. Synonyms for "tre corde" include "due corde" which means "two strings" and "senza sordino" which translates to "without the mute". These alternative terms suggest the various ways in which a musician can manipulate the piano's sound to achieve different tonal qualities, adding depth and versatility to their performance.