mediar
verbCEFR B2
What does “mediar” mean in English?
to mediate, to arbitrate
to mediate, to arbitrate (mediar en un conflicto — intervene as a neutral party to help reach agreement between others)
Example sentences
La ONU ofreció mediar en el conflicto entre las dos naciones para evitar que la situación se agravara.
The UN offered to mediate in the conflict between the two nations to prevent the situation from worsening.
El director de recursos humanos actuó como mediador para resolver la disputa entre los dos departamentos.
The human resources director acted as mediator to resolve the dispute between the two departments.
Cuando las negociaciones llegaron a un punto muerto, pidieron que mediara un tercero imparcial.
When the negotiations reached a deadlock, they asked a neutral third party to mediate.
How to use it
Mediar (en) means 'to mediate' or 'to intervene as a neutral party'. Structure: mediar en + conflict. At B2, it appears in diplomatic, legal, and interpersonal contexts: mediar en un conflicto, mediar entre las partes. Also: mediar para + infinitive (mediate in order to achieve something). The noun is la mediación (mediation), el mediador/la mediadora (mediator). Don't confuse with arbitrar (arbitrate — the neutral party makes a binding decision) or negociar (negotiate — parties negotiate directly).
Common mistake
Mediar (neutral facilitation — no decision-making power) vs. arbitrar (arbitrate — neutral party makes a binding decision). A mediator helps parties reach their own agreement; an arbitrator decides for them. Both are important B2 lexis for conflict-resolution and legal contexts in Spanish.