half step

A small or partial movement, action, or change, often used in contexts like music (a semitone), dance (a short step), or figuratively to describe an incomplete or cautious advance toward a goal.

• 🇪🇸Medio paso o movimiento parcial, frecuente en música (semitono), danza (paso corto) o en sentido figurado para indicar un avance incompleto o cauteloso hacia un objetivo.

1. Musical interval B2 formal

   The smallest interval between two notes in Western music, equivalent to one semitone.

   • Moving from E to F is a half step on the piano.
   • The melody descends by a half step.
   • In a chromatic scale, every note is a half step apart.

   🇪🇸semitono

2. Small or partial action C1 informal american

   A minor or incomplete action taken towards a larger goal.

   • The new policy is only a half step towards solving the problem.
   • They took a half step forward but then hesitated.
   • His apology felt like a half step, not a full commitment.

   🇪🇸paso a medias