Inklingo

How to Say "average" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “average” is “medio” — use 'medio' when referring to a quantity that is half of a whole, like 'half a kilo' or 'half an hour'. It can also be used informally for an 'average' score or result.

medio🔊A1

Use 'medio' when referring to a quantity that is half of a whole, like 'half a kilo' or 'half an hour'. It can also be used informally for an 'average' score or result.

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promedio🔊B2

Use 'promedio' when you are specifically talking about a calculated mathematical average, such as an average score, age, or price.

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corriente🔊A2

Use 'corriente' to describe something as ordinary, standard, or lacking any special qualities, like a common type of car or a regular day.

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regular🔊A2

Use 'regular' to describe the quality of something as mediocre, so-so, or not very good, often used as a direct response when asked about enjoyment.

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mediano🔊B1

Use 'mediano' to indicate a moderate or medium level of success, quality, or intelligence, implying it's neither great nor terrible.

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English → Spanish

medio

me-dyoˈme.ðjo

adjectiveA1general
Use 'medio' when referring to a quantity that is half of a whole, like 'half a kilo' or 'half an hour'. It can also be used informally for an 'average' score or result.
A bright orange cut perfectly in half, showing the two equal sections, illustrating the concept of 'half'.

Examples

Quiero medio kilo de manzanas, por favor.

I want half a kilo of apples, please.

Son las doce y media.

It's half past twelve.

Mi hermano es de la clase media.

My brother is from the middle class.

It Changes to Match!

When used like this to describe something, 'medio' changes to match the thing it's describing. Use 'media' for feminine things, and add an '-s' for plural things: 'medio vaso' (half a glass), 'media taza' (half a cup), 'medios limones' (half lemons), 'medias páginas' (half pages).

Using 'Medio' Instead of 'Mitad'

Mistake: “Quiero el medio de la pizza.”

Correction: Quiero la mitad de la pizza. Use 'mitad' when you mean 'the half' as a noun (a thing), and 'medio/a' when you're describing something as 'half full' or 'half a pizza'.

promedio

proh-MEH-deeohpɾoˈmeðjo

nounB2general
Use 'promedio' when you are specifically talking about a calculated mathematical average, such as an average score, age, or price.
A simple wooden balance beam resting perfectly level on a central fulcrum, with three colorful, identical geometric shapes placed symmetrically on the beam, illustrating mathematical balance.

Examples

¿Cuál es el promedio de edad de los participantes?

What is the average age of the participants?

Mi meta es subir mi promedio a nueve puntos este semestre.

My goal is to raise my average (grade) to nine points this semester.

Necesitamos calcular el promedio de ventas del último trimestre.

We need to calculate the sales average for the last quarter.

El nivel promedio de habilidad es bastante alto.

The average skill level is quite high.

Always Masculine

Even if you are averaging things that are feminine (like 'notas' or 'ventas'), 'promedio' itself is always a masculine noun: 'el promedio'.

Adjective Placement

When used to describe a noun, 'promedio' usually comes after the noun it is describing: 'el estudiante promedio' (the average student).

Agreement with Noun

Mistake: “Using 'promedia' for feminine nouns (e.g., 'la nota promedia').”

Correction: The adjective form often acts as an invariable descriptor and usually stays 'promedio': 'la nota promedio' (the average grade). Treat it like 'estándar' (standard).

corriente

koh-rree-EN-tehkoˈrjente

adjectiveA2general
Use 'corriente' to describe something as ordinary, standard, or lacking any special qualities, like a common type of car or a regular day.
A plain, unremarkable gray pebble lying on a dirt ground surrounded by many identical common pebbles.

Examples

No es nada especial, solo un coche corriente.

It's nothing special, just an ordinary car.

Su opinión es bastante corriente entre la gente.

His opinion is quite common among people.

Always the Same

As an adjective meaning 'ordinary,' 'corriente' is an adjective that stays the same regardless of whether the noun it describes is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'un coche corriente', 'una persona corriente').

regular

rreh-goo-LAHRreɣuˈlaɾ

adjectiveA2informal
Use 'regular' to describe the quality of something as mediocre, so-so, or not very good, often used as a direct response when asked about enjoyment.
A plain gray, unexciting cookie rests by itself on a white plate, symbolizing mediocre or so-so quality.

Examples

—¿Te gustó la película? —Estuvo regular.

—Did you like the movie? —It was so-so/average.

Mi nota en el examen fue regular, no suspendí pero tampoco saqué un diez.

My grade on the exam was average; I didn't fail, but I didn't get a ten either.

La comida era bastante regular, no volvería a ese restaurante.

The food was quite mediocre/average; I wouldn't go back to that restaurant.

Expressing Feeling

When asked how you feel ('¿Cómo estás?'), answering 'Estoy regular' means you are feeling just okay or maybe slightly unwell, but not terrible.

mediano

meh-dee-AH-nohmeˈðjanon

adjectiveB1general
Use 'mediano' to indicate a moderate or medium level of success, quality, or intelligence, implying it's neither great nor terrible.
A simple, cheerful plant that is neither wilting nor overgrown, representing an average or middle-ground state.

Examples

La película fue de un éxito mediano.

The movie had average success.

Es un jugador mediano; no es el mejor del equipo.

He is an average player; he's not the best on the team.

Tiene una inteligencia mediana.

He has average intelligence.

Describing abstract concepts

When used with abstract ideas like 'success' or 'intelligence,' it often implies that something is sufficient but not outstanding.

Confusing with 'Regular'

Mistake: “Su trabajo es regular.”

Correction: In Spanish, 'regular' often means 'bad' or 'so-so'. Use 'mediano' or 'promedio' if you specifically mean 'average' in a statistical or quality sense.

promedio

proh-MEH-deeohpɾoˈmeðjo

adjectiveC1general
Use 'promedio' as an adjective to describe a typical or standard level, often applied to skills, performance, or conditions.
A simple wooden balance beam resting perfectly level on a central fulcrum, with three colorful, identical geometric shapes placed symmetrically on the beam, illustrating mathematical balance.

Examples

El nivel promedio de habilidad es bastante alto.

The average skill level is quite high.

¿Cuál es el promedio de edad de los participantes?

What is the average age of the participants?

Mi meta es subir mi promedio a nueve puntos este semestre.

My goal is to raise my average (grade) to nine points this semester.

Necesitamos calcular el promedio de ventas del último trimestre.

We need to calculate the sales average for the last quarter.

Always Masculine

Even if you are averaging things that are feminine (like 'notas' or 'ventas'), 'promedio' itself is always a masculine noun: 'el promedio'.

Adjective Placement

When used to describe a noun, 'promedio' usually comes after the noun it is describing: 'el estudiante promedio' (the average student).

Agreement with Noun

Mistake: “Using 'promedia' for feminine nouns (e.g., 'la nota promedia').”

Correction: The adjective form often acts as an invariable descriptor and usually stays 'promedio': 'la nota promedio' (the average grade). Treat it like 'estándar' (standard).

Confusing 'average' quantity with 'average' quality

Learners often confuse 'medio' (meaning half) with other words for 'average'. Remember that 'medio' is used for quantities like 'half a kilo', while 'promedio' is for calculated averages and words like 'corriente', 'regular', and 'mediano' describe the quality or ordinariness of something.

Related Translations

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