estatura mediana
/estatuɾa medjana/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'medium height' is translated into Spanish as estatura mediana.
Use this phrase to describe a person's height when they are neither tall nor short. When you want to describe a person directly, such as saying 'He is of medium height', you will often use the prepositional phrase de estatura mediana.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of estatura, meaning 'height' and mediana, meaning 'medium' or 'average'.
Which one should you use?
While estatura mediana is correct, estatura media is a very common alternative used to describe average height.
Did you know?
- If you want to call someone 'average' as an insult rather than a measurement, you would use the phrase del montón, which literally means 'from the pile'.
- The word media in estatura media can also mean 'half' or 'sock' depending on the context, which can lead to humorous mental associations for learners.
- While estatura is used for people, Spanish uses the word altura for the height of mountains and buildings, making them not interchangeable.
Examples in context
- Él es de estatura mediana.He is of medium height.
- Mi hermano tiene una estatura mediana.My brother is of medium height.
- Busco a un hombre de estatura mediana.I am looking for a man of medium height.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are describing people in a crowd.
- Alejandro¿Cómo es el nuevo empleado?What is the new employee like?
- SofíaEs de estatura mediana y muy amable.He is of medium height and very kind.
- Alejandro¿Es alto o bajo?Is he tall or short?
- SofíaNo, tiene una estatura mediana.No, he is of medium height.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
