a término medio
/a teɾmino medjo/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for cooked medium is a término medio.
This phrase is used specifically when ordering meat in a restaurant to specify the level of doneness, describing meat, especially steak, that is cooked so the center remains pink.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'at medium term'. The word término refers to the 'degree' or 'point' of cooking.
Which one should you use?
While término medio on its own means 'medium', it is standard to include the preposition a at the beginning when ordering food, resulting in a término medio.
Did you know?
- The word medio was borrowed directly from Latin rather than evolving naturally into Spanish. This happened because the natural evolution would have created a word that sounded too much like mear, the Spanish word for 'to piss'.
- While a término medio is used for cooking, the exact same phrase término medio is a common idiom used in politics and social sciences to describe a 'middle ground' or a compromise.
- In some Latin American countries, if you order meat a término medio but it arrives too rare, you might hear the waiter use the word sangrante to describe the 'bloody' state of the meat.
Examples in context
- Quiero el filete a término medio, por favor.I want the steak cooked medium, please.
- Él prefiere la carne a término medio.He prefers the meat cooked medium.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are ordering dinner at a restaurant.
- María¿Cómo quiere su carne, Alejandro?How would you like your meat, Alejandro?
- AlejandroLa quiero a término medio, por favor.I want it cooked medium, please.
- MaríaMuy bien. Yo también la pediré así.Very well. I will order mine that way too.
- AlejandroEs la mejor forma de comerla.It is the best way to eat it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, medio, término, CC BY-SA 4.0.
