mediocre
/meˈdjokɾe/
The English word 'mid' can be translated into Spanish as mediocre.
In Spanish, mediocre is used to describe something occupying a middle position. While the English slang 'mid' is often used casually to mean 'average' or 'unimpressive', the Spanish word mediocre carries a stronger connotation of being of poor or low quality.
Meaning: occupying a middle position, middle (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective mediocre is gender-neutral and does not change its ending depending on whether the noun it describes is masculine or feminine. To make the adjective plural, add an -s to form mediocres.
How do you pronounce it?
/meˈdjokɾe/
Did you know?
- While mediocre implies a lack of quality, Spanish speakers use the phrase del montón to describe someone who is just 'average'. This literally translates to being 'from the pile'.
- The Spanish word mediocre shares the same Latin root, mediocris, as the English word 'mediocre', meaning 'middle height' or 'halfway up' a mountain.
- In Spanish, calling someone mediocre often suggests a moral or spiritual failure and a lack of ambition, rather than just a lack of technical skill.
Examples in context
- La película empezará a las nueve y media.The movie will start at half-past nine.
- El informe estará listo a mitad de semana.The report will be ready midweek.
- Vamos a la playa a la mitad del día.Let's go to the beach in the middle of the day.
- El partido de fútbol comienza a media tarde.The soccer game starts in the middle of the afternoon.
- El vuelo aterrizó a la mitad de la pista.The plane landed in the middle of the runway.
- El examen se divide en dos partes, la primera mitad es más fácil que la segunda.The exam is divided into two parts, the first half is easier than the second.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are discussing a movie they just watched.
- Alejandro¿Qué te pareció la película?What did you think of the movie?
- LucíaFue bastante mediocre.It was quite mediocre.
- AlejandroYo también la sentí mediocre.I felt it was mediocre too.
- LucíaEs una lástima.It's a shame.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mediocre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mediocre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
