Inklingo

How to Say "halfway" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “halfway” is “intermedio” — use 'intermedio' when referring to a middle point in a scale, level, or distance, like an intermediate stage or location..

English → Spanish

intermedio

/een-tehr-MEH-dyoh//inteɾˈmeðjo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'intermedio' when referring to a middle point in a scale, level, or distance, like an intermediate stage or location.
A character standing on the middle step of three colorful blocks, representing a medium level.

Examples

El pueblo está a medio camino entre las dos ciudades.

The town is halfway between the two cities.

Tengo un nivel intermedio de español.

I have an intermediate level of Spanish.

Necesitamos encontrar un punto intermedio para quedar.

We need to find a middle point to meet.

La gama intermedia de este coche tiene mejores acabados.

The mid-range of this car has better finishes.

Matching the Noun

Since this is an adjective, you must change the ending to match what you are describing: 'un nivel intermedio' (masculine) but 'una fase intermedia' (feminine).

Positioning

You will almost always place this word after the thing it is describing, just like most Spanish adjectives.

Intermedio vs. Medio

Mistake: “Quiero un café intermedio.”

Correction: Quiero un café mediano (size) or medio (half). Use 'intermedio' for levels or things situated between two points, not usually for food portions.

medias

/mé-dias//ˈmeðjas/

adverbial phraseB1general
Use 'a medias' to describe an action or project that is unfinished or incomplete, literally or metaphorically.
A cheerful cartoon rabbit standing precisely at the midpoint of a winding dirt road leading toward a distant tree, illustrating the halfway point.

Examples

Dejaron la obra a medias cuando se quedaron sin dinero.

They left the construction work halfway (or half-finished) when they ran out of money.

Solo escuché la conversación a medias, no entendí todo.

I only heard the conversation partially, I didn't understand everything.

Fixed Phrase

This meaning always requires the preposition 'a' before 'medias'. It functions as an adverb, describing how an action was done (incompletely).

Missing Preposition

Mistake: “Hizo el trabajo medias.”

Correction: Hizo el trabajo a medias. (You must include the 'a'.)

Intermedio vs. A Medias

The most common mistake is using 'intermedio' when something is literally unfinished. Remember, 'intermedio' describes a middle point or level, while 'a medias' specifically means incomplete or half-done.

Related Translations

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