vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Por medio" is a phrase which is often translated as "in the way", and "a través de" is a preposition which is often translated as "through". Learn more about the difference between "por medio" and "a través de" below.
por medio(
pohr
meh
-
dyoh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. in the way
Siempre estás por medio. ¿Quieres hacer el favor de sentarte ahí y dejarnos hacer nuestro trabajo?You're always in the way. Could you please just sit there and let us do our work?
2. (everywhere)
a. all over the place
Los niños dejan todos los juguetes por medio.The children leave their toys all over the place.
3. (every two) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a través de(
ah
trah
-
behs
deh
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).