mediante
Lemma Details
Translation: by means of; through; by; with; using
Part of Speech: preposition
Etymology: Derived from the Latin 'mediante', which is the ablative form of 'medians' (present participle of 'mediare', meaning 'to be in the middle'). The Latin root 'medi-' is related to English words like 'medium', 'mediate', and 'intermediate'. The preposition evolved to express the idea of something serving as a means or intermediary to achieve something else.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 60%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Mediante este acuerdo, ambas partes se comprometen a colaborar.
Through this agreement, both parties commit to collaborate.
Solo puedes acceder al edificio mediante una tarjeta de seguridad.
You can only access the building using a security card.
Resolvimos el problema mediante negociación.
We resolved the problem through negotiation.
Aprendió español mediante un curso en línea.
He learned Spanish by means of an online course.
La información se transmite mediante ondas de radio.
The information is transmitted by means of radio waves.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'media' in English (as in communication media) - mediante is how you communicate or transmit something through a medium.
- Sounds like 'mediating' - it's the word that mediates between an action and how it's accomplished.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Widely used in both formal and everyday Spanish, particularly in legal, administrative, and academic contexts to express the means or method by which something is accomplished.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'mediante' refers to the means or method by which something is done, 'durante' refers to a period of time during which something happens.
Confused word:
Resolvimos el problema durante la reunión.
We resolved the problem during the meeting.
Notes: Both are common prepositions but serve completely different grammatical functions.
Mnemonic: 'Mediante' has 'media' in it (think medium/means), while 'durante' has 'dura' (think duration/time).
Explanation: 'Mediante' expresses the means or method, while 'mientras' means 'while' or 'during' and is used to express simultaneous actions.
This word:
Aprendió español mediante un curso intensivo.
He learned Spanish through an intensive course.
Confused word:
Aprendió español mientras vivía en Madrid.
He learned Spanish while living in Madrid.
Notes: 'Mientras' is a conjunction that introduces a temporal relationship, whereas 'mediante' is a preposition that introduces an instrumental relationship.
Mnemonic: 'Mientras' contains 'mientr-' which sounds like 'meantime' - it's about timing, not means.