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acortar

ah-kor-TAHRakoɾˈtaɾ

“acortar” means “to shorten” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to shorten

Also: to take up
VerbA2regular ar
A pair of scissors cutting a long piece of blue ribbon to make it shorter.
gerundacortando
past Participleacortado
infinitiveacortar

📝 In Action

Tengo que acortar estos pantalones porque me quedan muy largos.

A2

I have to shorten these pants because they are too long for me.

El sastre puede acortar las mangas de la chaqueta.

B1

The tailor can shorten the sleeves of the jacket.

Decidieron acortar el camino yendo por el bosque.

B1

They decided to shorten the way by going through the forest.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • achicar (to make smaller)
  • reducir (to reduce)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • acortar distancias – to close the gap / reduce distance
  • acortar el camino – to take a shortcut

to shorten

Also: to cut down
VerbB1regular ar
A person taking a shortcut path through a green field to reach a house faster.
gerundacortando
past Participleacortado
infinitiveacortar

📝 In Action

Tuvimos que acortar la reunión porque el jefe tenía prisa.

B1

We had to shorten the meeting because the boss was in a hurry.

Debes acortar el artículo para que quepa en la página.

B2

You must shorten the article so that it fits on the page.

Los días se acortan durante el invierno.

A2

The days get shorter during the winter.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • abreviar (to abbreviate/shorten)
  • limitar (to limit)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • acortar las vacaciones – to shorten the vacation
  • acortar el plazo – to shorten the deadline/period

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoacortara
túacortaras
él/ella/ustedacortara
nosotrosacortáramos
vosotrosacortarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesacortaran

Present Subjunctive

yoacorte
túacortes
él/ella/ustedacorte
nosotrosacortemos
vosotrosacortéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesacorten

Indicative

Preterite

yoacorté
túacortaste
él/ella/ustedacortó
nosotrosacortamos
vosotrosacortasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesacortaron

Imperfect

yoacortaba
túacortabas
él/ella/ustedacortaba
nosotrosacortábamos
vosotrosacortabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesacortaban

Present

yoacorto
túacortas
él/ella/ustedacorta
nosotrosacortamos
vosotrosacortáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesacortan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "acortar" in Spanish:

to shorten→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: acortar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence means 'I have to shorten the duration of the visit'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
corto(short) — Adjective
acortamiento(shortening) — Noun
cortar(to cut) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the Latin 'curtare' (to shorten), combined with the Spanish prefix 'a-', coming from 'curtus' (short).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: curtailFrench: écourter

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'acortar' for cutting hair?

Not usually. For hair, we use 'cortar' (to cut). Use 'acortar' for things like clothes, time, or distances.

What is the difference between 'acortar' and 'achicar'?

'Acortar' specifically means making something shorter in length or time. 'Achicar' means making something smaller in overall size or volume (like a photo or a box).

How do you say 'to take a shortcut'?

The most common phrase is 'acortar camino'.