How to Say "indirect" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “indirect” is “indirecto” — use 'indirecto' when referring to a route, path, or method that does not go straight to its destination or point..
indirecto
/een-dee-REHK-toh//indiˈɾekto/
Examples
Fuimos por un camino indirecto para ver las montañas.
We went by an indirect route to see the mountains.
Me dio una respuesta indirecta y no entendí bien.
He gave me a roundabout answer and I didn't quite understand.
El humo del tabaco tiene un efecto indirecto en los demás.
Tobacco smoke has an indirect effect on others.
En el estilo indirecto, contamos lo que otra persona dijo.
In indirect speech, we tell what another person said.
Matching the Noun
Just like most adjectives, this word must match the gender of the object it describes. Use 'indirecto' for masculine things (el camino) and 'indirecta' for feminine things (la ruta).
Placement
In Spanish, you usually place this word after the noun you are describing, such as 'un método indirecto' rather than 'un indirecto método'.
Reporting Speech
When you use 'estilo indirecto,' you are repeating someone's words using verbs like 'decir que' (to say that). For example: 'Él dijo que tenía hambre'.
The Receiver of Action
The 'objeto indirecto' refers to the person who gets something or benefits from an action. For example, in 'I give the book to him,' 'him' is the indirect part.
Mixing up the adjective and the noun
Mistake: “Él me lanzó un indirecto.”
Correction: Él me lanzó una indirecta.
Using the wrong pronoun
Mistake: “Lo di un regalo a él.”
Correction: Le di un regalo a él.
indirecto
/een-dee-REHK-toh//indiˈɾekto/
Examples
En el estilo indirecto, contamos lo que otra persona dijo.
In indirect speech, we tell what another person said.
Fuimos por un camino indirecto para ver las montañas.
We went by an indirect route to see the mountains.
Me dio una respuesta indirecta y no entendí bien.
He gave me a roundabout answer and I didn't quite understand.
El humo del tabaco tiene un efecto indirecto en los demás.
Tobacco smoke has an indirect effect on others.
Matching the Noun
Just like most adjectives, this word must match the gender of the object it describes. Use 'indirecto' for masculine things (el camino) and 'indirecta' for feminine things (la ruta).
Placement
In Spanish, you usually place this word after the noun you are describing, such as 'un método indirecto' rather than 'un indirecto método'.
Reporting Speech
When you use 'estilo indirecto,' you are repeating someone's words using verbs like 'decir que' (to say that). For example: 'Él dijo que tenía hambre'.
The Receiver of Action
The 'objeto indirecto' refers to the person who gets something or benefits from an action. For example, in 'I give the book to him,' 'him' is the indirect part.
Mixing up the adjective and the noun
Mistake: “Él me lanzó un indirecto.”
Correction: Él me lanzó una indirecta.
Using the wrong pronoun
Mistake: “Lo di un regalo a él.”
Correction: Le di un regalo a él.
mediado
/meh-dee-ah-doh//meˈðjaðo/
Examples
El aprendizaje está mediado por la tecnología en esta escuela.
Learning is mediated by technology in this school.
Fue un conflicto mediado por las Naciones Unidas.
It was a conflict mediated by the United Nations.
La relación entre ellos está mediada por el interés económico.
The relationship between them is influenced (mediated) by financial interest.
Matching the Noun
Since this word acts as a description (an adjective), you must change its ending to match what you are talking about: 'mediado' for masculine, 'mediada' for feminine.
Confusing with 'Halfway'
Mistake: “Using 'mediado' to say 'halfway through'.”
Correction: Use the plural 'a mediados de' for dates. 'Mediado' (singular) specifically means something was handled by a middleman or tool.
Direct vs. Mediated Action
Related Translations
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