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"Medio" is a form of "medio", an adjective which is often translated as "half". "Cinco" is an adjective which is often translated as "five". Learn more about the difference between "cinco" and "medio" below.
cinco(
seeng
-
koh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. five
Hay cinco árboles en frente de la casa.There are five trees in front of the house.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. five
Dos más tres son cinco.Two plus three equals five.
b. fifth (in dates)
Nuestros amigos llegarán el cinco de febrero.Our friends will be arriving on February fifth.
3. (minimal amount)
Regionalism used in Chile
(Chile)
a. five cents
No le pidas nada porque ni tiene un cinco.Don't ask him for anything because he doesn't even have five cents.
4. (five-cent piece)
Regionalism used in Chile
(Chile)
Regionalism used in Costa Rica
(Costa Rica)
a. five-cent piece
Mi abuelo me dio este cinco de colección.My grandfather gave me this five-cent piece as a collector's item.
5. (marble)
Regionalism used in Guatemala
(Guatemala)
a. marbles
Pepe, ¿quieres jugar al cinco conmigo?Pepe, do you want to play marbles with me?
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medio(
meh
-
dyoh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. half
Dame media sandía, por favor.Give me half a watermelon, please.
a. average
El perro medio requiere por lo menos 60 minutos de actividad física al día.The average dog requires at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
a. middle
Nos podemos ver en algún punto medio.We can meet somewhere in the middle.
a. middle
No somos ricos, pero sí somos de clase media alta.We're not rich, but we are upper middle class.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a. half
Por fin llegamos a la casa, medio congelados por el frío.We finally arrived at the house, half-frozen from the cold.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. middle
Se encontraron en el medio del parque.They met up in the middle of the park.
a. means
El profesor prefiere el correo electrónico como medio de comunicación.My teacher prefers email as a means of communication.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
masculine or feminine noun
a. midfielder
Los medios tienen que circular el balón mejor si quieren ganar este partido.The midfielders have to pass the ball better if they want to win this match.
los medios
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
plural noun
a. media
Los medios tienen un muy corto periodo de atención.The media has a very short attention span.
a. means
La empresa no tiene los medios financieros para sacarse de esta situación.The company doesn't have the financial means to get out of this situation.
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