mediocre
/meˈdjokɾe/
The English word mediocre is translated into Spanish as mediocre.
The adjective is used to describe something that has no peculiar or outstanding features.
Meaning: having no peculiar or outstanding features (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective mediocre is invariant in gender, so it remains the same when describing both masculine and feminine nouns. To make the adjective plural, add an 's' to form mediocres.
How do you pronounce it?
/meˈdjokɾe/
Did you know?
- While English uses 'mediocre' as a general criticism, in Spanish, calling a person mediocre is a particularly sharp personal insult that implies a profound lack of character or moral ambition.
- While mediocre is a direct loan from Latin, Spanish speakers often prefer the phrase ni fu ni fa to describe something mediocre or indifferent in casual conversation.
- Spanish speakers may use the word del montón to describe something mediocre, which literally translates to 'from the pile'.
Examples in context
- Puedes tener resultados mediocres ahora, o estupendos resultados después.You can have mediocre results now, or outstanding results later.This sentence shows how to use mediocre when comparing current results to future ones.Tatoeba #2975817 by marcelostockle, translation #2975814 by marcelostockle
- La mayoría de nuestra sabiduría de bolsillo está concebida para su uso por gente mediocre, para disuadirlos de intentos ambiciosos y, en general para consolar su mediocridad.Most of our pocket wisdom is conceived for the use of mediocre people, to discourage them from ambitious attempts, and generally console them in their mediocrity.This sentence uses mediocre to describe people and their lack of ambition.Tatoeba #5040654 by albrusgher, translation #906641 by Scott
- No quiero vivir una vida mediocre.I don't want to live a mediocre life.This sentence uses mediocre to describe the quality of a life.Tatoeba #10195359 by DJ_Saidez, translation #8260039 by Amastan
- El desempeño de su equipo fue poco destacado en el proyecto.Their team's performance was mediocre in the project.
- La película estuvo más o menos.The movie was mediocre.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are discussing a restaurant they visited.
- Mateo¿Qué te pareció la cena, Elena?What did you think of the dinner, Elena?
- ElenaSinceramente, fue una comida mediocre.Honestly, it was a mediocre meal.
- MateoYo también pensé que era mediocre.I also thought it was mediocre.
- ElenaNo vale la pena volver.It is not worth going back.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mediocre” translations and entries mediocre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
