vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Medio" is a form of "medio", an adjective which is often translated as "half". "Media" is a form of "media", a noun which is often translated as "stocking". Learn more about the difference between "medio" and "media" 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.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
la media(
meh
-
dyah
)
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. stocking (above the knee)
Te hará falta un liguero para sujetar las medias.You'll need a garter belt to hold up your stockings.
2. (clothing)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. sock (knee or ankle sock)
Tengo una montaña de medias sin pareja.I have heaps of odd socks.
a. average
Me gusta andar y hago una media de 20 kilómetros a la semana.I like walking and I do an average of 20 kilometers a week.
4.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(time)
a. half hour
El reloj de la iglesia dio la media.The church clock struck the half hour.
b. half past
Date prisa porque el banco cierra a la media en punto.Hurry up because the bank closes at half past on the dot.
a. midfield
El jugador despejó el balón desde la media.The player cleared the ball from the midfield.
las medias
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
plural noun
a. pantyhose (up to the waist)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
¡Me hice una carrera en las medias nuevas!I have a run in my new pantyhose!
b. tights (up to the waist)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
¡Qué frío hace! ¡Ojalá llevara medias gruesas!It's really cold today! I wish I was wearing thick tights!
a. media
Es evidente que los medias influyen en las actitudes sociales.It's obvious that social attitudes are influenced by the media.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.