medio
Lemma Details
Translation: half; middle; medium; means; environment; halfway; average
Part of Speech: adjective, noun, adverb
Etymology: From Latin 'medius' meaning 'middle, central'. This Latin root is shared with many English words like 'medium', 'mediate', 'medieval' (middle ages), and 'mediocre' (literally 'halfway up a mountain'). The concept of 'middle' or 'half' is central to this word's various meanings across different parts of speech.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 80%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Necesito medio kilo de azúcar.
I need half a kilogram of sugar.
Estamos a medio camino.
We are halfway there.
El medio ambiente es responsabilidad de todos.
The environment is everyone's responsibility.
No tengo medios para comprar un coche nuevo.
I don't have the means to buy a new car.
Es de tamaño medio.
It's medium-sized.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'medium' in English, which shares the same Latin root and similar meaning.
- Remember 'medio' as the 'middle' point between two extremes.
- For 'medio' as 'half', picture cutting something in the middle to get two equal halves.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish culture, 'medio' is extremely versatile and appears in many common expressions. The concept of 'medio' as 'means' or 'medium' is particularly important in discussions about communication, transportation, and methods.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'medio' means 'half' or 'middle' (masculine), 'media' can be either the feminine form of 'medio' or a noun meaning 'sock' or 'stocking'.
Confused word:
Necesito una media naranja y una media para el invierno.
I need half an orange and a sock for winter.
Notes: The feminine form 'media' is used with feminine nouns, while the masculine form 'medio' is used with masculine nouns when functioning as an adjective.
Mnemonic: Remember: 'medio limón' (half a lemon) but 'una media' (a sock).
Explanation: 'Medio' means 'half' or 'middle', while 'medida' means 'measurement' or 'measure'.
This word:
Está a medio hacer.
It's half done.
Confused word:
Tomaron medidas para solucionar el problema.
They took measures to solve the problem.
Notes: Both words share the same Latin root related to measuring, but have evolved to have distinct meanings.
Mnemonic: Think: 'medio' is in the middle, 'medida' is what you use to measure.