medio lleno
/medjo ʝeno/from spelling rules
The English phrase half full is translated into Spanish as medio lleno.
The phrase is used as an adjective to describe something that is holding about half of its full capacity.
Meaning: holding about half of the full capacity (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of medio (half) and lleno (full).
Which one should you use?
Medio lleno is the direct antonym of medio vacío (half empty).
Did you know?
- The word medio was borrowed directly from Latin rather than evolving naturally because the expected Spanish forms would have sounded too much like the verb 'to piss'.
- The word medio can be used as an adverb meaning 'slightly' or 'kind of' in informal speech.
- Spanish speakers may use the phrase está a medias to describe something that is half finished or incomplete.
Examples in context
- El vaso estaba medio lleno.The vase was half full.Tatoeba #2313458 by ildefonk, translation #7803158 by sharris123
- ¿El vaso está medio lleno o medio vacío?Is the glass half full or half empty?Tatoeba #1563069 by marcelostockle, translation #1484197 by rafael8243
- Estaba medio lleno.It was half full.Tatoeba #4554424 by swyter, translation #3724676 by CM
- La botella está medio llena de agua.The bottle is half full of water.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are preparing drinks in the kitchen.
- MateoSofía, ¿está medio lleno el termo de café?Sofía, is the coffee thermos half full?
- SofíaNo, Mateo, creo que ya está casi vacío.No, Mateo, I think it is almost empty now.
- MateoQué mal, yo pensé que estaba medio lleno.That's too bad, I thought it was half full.
- SofíaPuedo preparar más café ahora mismo.I can make more coffee right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lleno, medio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
