degradado medio
/deɡɾadado medjo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "mid fade" is translated into Spanish as degradado medio.
In a barbershop, this phrase is used specifically to specify the height of the taper on the sides and back.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of degradado, meaning 'faded' or 'gradient' and medio, meaning 'middle'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American countries, desvanecido medio is used interchangeably with degradado medio to describe the same haircut.
Did you know?
- The word medio was borrowed directly from Latin because early Spanish versions sounded too much like mear, which means 'to piss'.
- Because degradado can also mean 'degraded' in a social or moral sense, the context of a barbershop is vital to avoid a misunderstanding.
- In Spanish, the word degradado is used both for hair and in art to describe a color gradient, treating the skin and hair transition as a visual painting technique.
Examples in context
- ¿Has visto el corte degradado en la zona intermedia de Juan? Le queda genial.Have you seen Juan's mid fade haircut? It looks great on him.
- Quiero un degradado medio, por favor.I want a mid fade, please.
- El degradado medio le queda muy bien.The mid fade looks very good on him.
- Él se hizo un degradado medio ayer.He got a mid fade yesterday.
Example conversation
Javier is asking Elena for advice at a hair salon.
- Javier¿Qué te parece un degradado medio?What do you think about a mid fade?
- ElenaA ti te quedaría perfecto, Javier.It would look perfect on you, Javier.
- Javier¿Crees que es muy corto?Do you think it is too short?
- ElenaNo, es un estilo muy moderno.No, it is a very modern style.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries medio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
