Using 'Mediante'

Mediante is a preposition that typically has the meaning of "by means of" and thus usually is used to indicate how something is accomplished.

Mediante is fairly formal and thus is used more often in writing than in everyday speech. Common phrases that are more commonly used in speech are por medio de and con la ayuda de, which nearly always can be used instead of mediante. In some sentences, con can also be substituted.

Here are some examples of sentences using mediante:

• Creemos in proteger los derechos humanos mediante la actuación policial. We believe in protecting human rights using police action.
• Alcanzar el éxito mediante la motivación personal. Achieve success by using personal motivation.
• Podemos resolver la disputa mediante el conocido juego de "piedra, papel o tijera". We can resolve the dispute with the well-known game of "rock, paper, scissors."
• Estamos por la erradicación de la pobreza mediante el desarrollo sostenible. We are for the erradication of poverty by means of sustainable development.
• Mejore su cuerpo y su cerebro mediante la fruta. Improve your body and mind by eating fruit. (Literally, improve your body and mind by means of fruit.)
• Puede multiplicar mediante los dedos de las manos. She can multiply with her fingers.
• Apareció una ventana invitándome a activar el software mediante comprar una licencia válida. A window appeared asking me to activate the software by buying a valid license.

Note how mediante can be translated to English in a variety of ways even though it always has the basic meaning of "by means of." This word offers an excellent example of the key principle of translation that you should always translate for context, rather than word for word.