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"Medio" is an adjective which is often translated as "half", and "a" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "medio" and "a" below.
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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a, la a(
ah
)
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
preposition
a. to
Ve a tu habitación.Go to your room.
a. to
A la izquierda puedes ver el parque.To your left you can see the park.
a. at
Saldremos al amanecer.We will leave at dawn.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Podía respirar a duras penas.He was hardly able to breathe.
a. to
No te olvides de escribir a tus abuelos.Don't forget to write to your grandparents.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
¡A fregar los platos!Go do the dishes!
¡A la cama!Off to bed!
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Me encantaría ganar dinero a espuertas.I would love to earn lots of money.
Llovía a cántaros.It was pouring.
a. to
Vino a saludar.He came to say hello.
a. per
Trabajo ocho horas al día.I work eight hours per day.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. a
Ese adjetivo debe terminar con una a.That adjective should end in an a.
a. A
El pianista tocó una A.The pianist played an A.
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
abbreviation
a. A
El circuito transporta una corriente de 1 A.The circuit carries a current of 1 A.
La intensidad de la corriente eléctrica se mide en A.The intensity of an electric current is measured in A.
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