Confusing 'cortar' and 'romper'

When talking about accidentally cutting yourself, Spanish often uses the 'se' structure: 'Se me cortó el dedo' (The finger cut itself to me), which means 'I cut my finger by accident'.

Using 'Se' for Accidents

If you are using a sharp object (like scissors or a knife), you will almost always use 'cortar'.

Common Tool

Extremely common. This is the main, physical meaning of the word.

This meaning often appears in the passive voice, describing a failure: 'La luz fue cortada' (The light was cut), or more commonly, 'Se cortó la luz' (The light cut itself/The power went out).

Passive Construction

Use 'cortar' for any utility that stops flowing: water ('el agua'), gas ('el gas'), or electricity ('la luz').

Utilities

Very common, especially in conversations about utilities, services, or interruptions.

Using 'cortar' transitively for relationships

When you use 'cortarse' (with 'me, te, se, nos'), it means the action happens to you internally, usually signifying shyness or embarrassment.

The Reflexive 'Cortarse'

In many Spanish-speaking countries, simply saying 'cortaron' is the quickest and most common way to say 'they broke up'.

Relationship Status

Common for discussing relationships or social awkwardness. Often used reflexively ('cortarse').

Learn all meanings of the Spanish verb 'cortar,' from the literal sense 'to cut' (A1) to the figurative meanings 'to interrupt service' (B1) and 'to break up' a relationship (B2). Includes full conjugations and usage tips.

Cortar Meaning, Conjugation, and Usage | Inklingo

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The conditional of cortar uses the infinitive plus -ía endings: cortaría, cortarías, cortaría, cortaríamos, cortaríais, cortarían.

The future of cortar is formed by adding endings to the infinitive: cortaré, cortarás, cortará, cortaremos, cortaréis, cortarán.

The affirmative imperative of cortar gives direct commands: corta (tú), cortad (vosotros), corte(n) (usted/es).

Cortar in the imperfect follows the regular -aba pattern: cortaba, cortabas, cortaba, cortábamos, cortabais, cortaban.

The imperfect subjunctive of cortar is based on the 'ellos' preterite: cortara, cortaras, cortara, cortáramos, cortarais, cortaran.

The negative imperative of cortar uses 'no' plus the present subjunctive: no cortes, no corte, no cortemos, no cortéis, no corten.

Cortar is a regular -ar verb in the present tense: corto, cortas, corta, cortamos, cortáis, cortan.

The present subjunctive of cortar uses -e endings: corte, cortes, corte, cortemos, cortéis, corten.

The preterite of cortar is regular: corté, cortaste, cortó, cortamos, cortasteis, cortaron.

cortar

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

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