Inklingo

How to Say "medium" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “medium” is “medio” — use this word when referring to 'the media' in general, or a means or way of doing something, like a 'means of transport'. It's also used for artistic mediums..

medio🔊A2

Use this word when referring to 'the media' in general, or a means or way of doing something, like a 'means of transport'. It's also used for artistic mediums.

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canal🔊B2

Choose this word when referring to a specific channel or pathway for communication, information, or water flow.

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vehículoB2

Use this term when 'medium' refers to something that acts as a means or vehicle for expression, conveying ideas, or facilitating change, especially in an artistic or social context.

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conductor🔊B2

This translation is used specifically when 'medium' refers to a substance or material that transmits something, like electricity, heat, or sound.

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soporte🔊B2

Employ this word when 'medium' denotes the physical material or device on which something is recorded, stored, or displayed.

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English → Spanish

medio

/me-dyo//ˈme.ðjo/

nounA2general
Use this word when referring to 'the media' in general, or a means or way of doing something, like a 'means of transport'. It's also used for artistic mediums.
A friendly, colorful cartoon train traveling along tracks, representing a 'means of transport'.

Examples

El tren es mi medio de transporte favorito.

The train is my favorite means of transport.

Los medios de comunicación tienen mucha influencia.

The media has a lot of influence.

Debemos proteger el medio ambiente.

We must protect the environment.

canal

kah-NAHL/kaˈnal/

nounB2general
Choose this word when referring to a specific channel or pathway for communication, information, or water flow.
A clearly defined, wide, curving blue path representing a route, with small white envelopes flowing continuously along it from a starting point to an endpoint.

Examples

Debemos usar los canales oficiales para enviar esta información.

We must use the official channels to send this information.

La empresa distribuye sus productos por varios canales de venta.

The company distributes its products through various sales channels.

Figurative Use

This meaning extends the idea of a physical passage (like a river) to an abstract one (like a route for information or sales).

vehículo

nounB2general
Use this term when 'medium' refers to something that acts as a means or vehicle for expression, conveying ideas, or facilitating change, especially in an artistic or social context.

Examples

El arte es un vehículo poderoso para el cambio social.

Art is a powerful medium for social change.

conductor

kon-dook-TOR/kon.dukˈtoɾ/

nounB2technical
This translation is used specifically when 'medium' refers to a substance or material that transmits something, like electricity, heat, or sound.
A close-up view of a thick, shiny, coiled copper wire, emphasizing its role as a material that conducts heat or electricity.

Examples

El cobre es un excelente conductor de electricidad.

Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity.

Los metales suelen ser buenos conductores térmicos.

Metals tend to be good thermal conductors.

Technical Usage

In this technical sense, 'conductor' refers to the substance itself, which allows energy to pass through, linking back to the idea of 'leading' or 'channeling'.

soporte

/so-POR-te//soˈpoɾte/

nounB2technical
Employ this word when 'medium' denotes the physical material or device on which something is recorded, stored, or displayed.
A stack of colorful flash drives and a small hard drive on a table.

Examples

El papel ya no es el soporte principal para los documentos.

Paper is no longer the main medium for documents.

Necesitamos la información en un soporte digital.

We need the information in a digital format.

Abstract Use

This sense refers to the 'thing' carrying the message, whether it's a CD, a USB drive, or a piece of parchment.

Medio vs. Canal for Communication

Learners often confuse 'medio' and 'canal' when talking about communication. Remember that 'medio' (like 'means') is general, referring to the way something is done, while 'canal' is specific, like an official channel or a broadcast channel.

Related Translations

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