término medio
/teɾmino medjo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "medium cooked" is translated into Spanish as término medio.
The phrase término medio is the standard way to request a steak that is cooked to a medium level of doneness in a restaurant. In many Spanish-speaking countries, you can simply say término medio when ordering meat without needing to include the word cocido (cooked).
Which one should you use?
While término medio refers to the level of doneness, it is distinct from término tres cuartos (medium well) or término azul (blue/rare).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, it is common to use término medio. In Argentina, you may encounter the phrase a punto instead of término medio.
Did you know?
- The word medio was borrowed directly from Latin to avoid looking like the Spanish word mear, which means 'to piss'.
- If you order a steak 'término medio' in a very traditional Spanish steakhouse, the chef might serve it much redder than a 'medium' steak in the United States.
- In Spanish, 'término medio' can also mean a 'middle ground' or a 'compromise' in a non-culinary context, such as a political or social negotiation.
Examples in context
- Prepara los filetes a término medioCook the steaks medium cooked
- Quiero el atún en su puntoI want the tuna medium cooked
- Me gusta el filete en término medio.I like my steak medium cooked.
- Pida la carne en término medio, por favor.Order the meat medium cooked, please.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are ordering food at a restaurant.
- Mateo¿Cómo quieres tu carne, Elena?How do you want your meat, Elena?
- ElenaLa quiero en término medio, por favor.I want it medium cooked, please.
- MateoMuy bien, yo la pediré bien cocida.Very well, I will order mine well cooked.
- ElenaPerfecto, Mateo, gracias.Perfect, Mateo, thanks.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries medio, término, CC BY-SA 4.0.
