medir
“medir” means “to measure” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
to measure
Also: to weigh
📝 In Action
Tengo que medir la ventana para comprar las cortinas.
A1I have to measure the window to buy the curtains.
El carpintero midió la madera con mucho cuidado.
A2The carpenter measured the wood very carefully.
Es difícil medir el éxito solo con dinero.
B1It is difficult to measure success only with money.
to be (a certain height)
📝 In Action
¿Cuánto mides?
A1How tall are you?
Mido un metro ochenta.
A1I am one meter eighty (about 5'11'').
Mi hermano mide más que mi padre.
A2My brother is taller than my father.
to weigh/moderate
📝 In Action
Tienes que medir tus palabras en la reunión.
B2You have to weigh your words in the meeting.
No midió las consecuencias de sus actos.
B2He didn't consider the consequences of his actions.
Es importante medir el gasto público.
C1It is important to moderate public spending.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: medir
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'I am 1.75 meters tall' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'metiri,' which means to measure or to distribute. It shares the same ancient root as the English word 'meter.'
First recorded: 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'medir' a regular verb?
No, it is an irregular stem-changing verb. The 'e' in the middle changes to an 'i' in most present tense forms and some past tense forms.
Can I use 'medir' to talk about weight?
No. To talk about weight (how heavy something is), you should use the verb 'pesar.' Use 'medir' for length, height, and width.
Does 'medir' change for height in different countries?
The verb 'medir' is used everywhere, but remember that most Spanish-speaking countries use the metric system (meters and centimeters) rather than feet and inches.