en el medio
/en el medjo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "in the middle" is translated into Spanish as en el medio.
This phrase is used to describe a position that is equidistant from the edges or sides of something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of en (in), el (the) and medio (middle/center).
Which one should you use?
While en el medio is common, en medio de is often preferred in more formal or precise writing when expressing the concept of "in the middle of" something.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "in the middle of [something]", you combine the phrase with the preposition de, resulting in en el medio de.
Did you know?
- The word medio was borrowed directly from Latin because the original evolved Spanish form would have sounded too similar to the word mear, which means 'to piss'.
- Spanish uses medio as a root for the word media, which refers to both 'the media' and 'socks', depending on the context.
- In Spanish, the word medio can function as both a noun meaning 'middle' and an adjective meaning 'half', such as in medio kilo for 'half a kilo'.
Examples in context
- Estoy parado en el medio del patio.I am standing in the middle of the schoolyard.This sentence is useful for describing one's location using en el medio.Tatoeba #1683677 by marcelostockle, translation #1666023 by Amastan
- Había un camión en el medio de la calle.There was a truck in the middle of the road.This sentence is useful for describing the location of an object using en el medio.Tatoeba #2408988 by termito2nd, translation #9814542 by DJ_Saidez
- Los niños jugaban en el medio de la calle.The children were playing in the middle of the street.This sentence is useful for describing where children were playing using en el medio.Tatoeba #2457481 by marcelostockle, translation #245697 by CK
- Estoy en el medio del camino hacia la reunión.I'm in the middle of the road to the meeting.
- El edificio se encuentra en el medio de la ciudad.The building is located in the middle of the city.
- El proyecto se encuentra en la mitad del proceso.The project is in the middle of the process.
- Estoy en la mitad del libro que me recomendaste.I'm in the middle of the book you recommended to me.
- No puedo hablar ahora, estoy en medio de algo importante.I can't talk now, I'm in the middle of something important.
- Estaba en medio de la película cuando se fue la luz.I was in the middle of the movie when the power went out.
- Comencé a leer el libro, pero lo dejé a la mitad.I started reading the book, but I left it halfway.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are organizing their new living room.
- Alejandro¿Dónde pongo este sofá, Elena?Where should I put this sofa, Elena?
- ElenaPonlo en el medio de la habitación.Put it in the middle of the room.
- AlejandroEstá bien, lo moveré allí ahora.Okay, I will move it there now.
- ElenaGracias, Alejandro, se ve mucho mejor.Thank you, Alejandro, it looks much better.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, en, medio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
