What it's NOT
media does NOT translate to media (calcetín).
To say "media (calcetín)" in English, use sock / half.
ESEN
False cognate · False friend
media
Does NOT mean media (calcetín)
It means news outlets / the press
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
media means news outlets / the press.
Why it's confused
Spanish "media" is half of something or a mathematical average. English "media" is the collective news and press outlets, the plural of "medium." Two words that match in form but come from different roots.
How it's pronounced
mediaMÍ-di-a
Tap the button to hear the real pronunciation.
Examples of correct use
English
The story was all over the media.
Spanish
La historia estaba en todos los medios.
English
Social media changed everything.
Spanish
Las redes sociales lo cambiaron todo.
A trick to remember it
Media = news outlets/the press. A sock (Spanish "media") = sock; half = half.
Mini quiz
"The media reported it" means...
Frequently asked questions
What does "media" mean in English?
"Media" means "news outlets / the press". It looks a lot like "media", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "media" in English?
To say "media" in English, use "sock / half". If you use "media" instead, you would actually be saying "news outlets / the press".
Do "media" and "media" mean the same thing?
Spanish "media" is half of something or a mathematical average. English "media" is the collective news and press outlets, the plural of "medium." Two words that match in form but come from different roots.
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
Library, embarrassed, actually... the full list of words that look the same but mean something different.
Publicidad