Inklingo

How to Say "measurement" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “measurement” is “medida” — use 'medida' when referring to the specific size or dimension of an object or space, especially when you need to know it for a practical purpose like buying something.

English → Spanish

medida

meh-DEE-dahmeˈðiða

nounA1general
Use 'medida' when referring to the specific size or dimension of an object or space, especially when you need to know it for a practical purpose like buying something.
A hand holding a yellow tape measure stretched out next to a simple wooden block on a tabletop, indicating its length.

Examples

Necesito tomar las medidas exactas antes de comprar el sofá.

I need to take the exact measurements before buying the sofa.

¿Cuál es la medida de la piscina?

What is the size of the pool?

La costurera me tomó la medida de la cintura.

The seamstress took my waist measurement.

Gender Rule

As a feminine word, 'medida' always uses feminine words before it, like 'la' or 'una'.

medición

nounB1general
Use 'medición' to describe the action or process of measuring something, focusing on the activity itself.

Examples

La medición de la habitación fue muy fácil.

The measurement of the room was very easy.

dimensión

nounB1general
Use 'dimensión' when talking about the physical extent of something, specifically its length, width, or height.

Examples

Necesitamos las tres dimensiones: altura, anchura y profundidad.

We need the three dimensions: height, width, and depth.

lectura

lek-TOO-ralekˈtuɾa

nounB2general
Use 'lectura' for the numerical result obtained from an instrument or device, like a thermometer or a gauge.
A simple, round instrument dial with a thick black needle pointing firmly toward the top of a red zone, indicating a measured reading.

Examples

La lectura del termómetro era anormalmente baja.

The thermometer reading was abnormally low.

El director hizo una lectura optimista de los resultados.

The director made an optimistic interpretation of the results.

Abstract Usage

When used abstractly (like 'interpretation'), it always works with the preposition 'de' (of) to link it to the object being analyzed: 'lectura DE la situación'.

Medida vs. Medición

Learners often confuse 'medida' and 'medición'. Remember that 'medida' refers to the actual size (e.g., the measurement of the table is 2 meters), while 'medición' refers to the act of measuring (e.g., the measurement of the table took 5 minutes).

Related Translations

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