cortar
/kor-tar/
to cut
Cortar: To cut (using scissors, a knife, etc.).
cortar(verb)
to cut
?using scissors, a knife, etc.
,to slice
?food
to chop
?vegetables, wood
,to mow
?grass
📝 In Action
Necesito cortar la carne en trozos pequeños para la cena.
A1I need to cut the meat into small pieces for dinner.
¿Puedes cortar el césped hoy? Está muy largo.
A2Can you mow the lawn today? It's very long.
Ten cuidado de no cortarte el dedo con ese cuchillo.
B1Be careful not to cut your finger with that knife.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Se' for Accidents
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'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'cortar' and 'romper'
Mistake: "Using 'romper' (to break) when you mean 'cortar' (to cut) something with a blade."
Correction: Use 'cortar' for clean divisions (paper, hair) and 'romper' for tearing or smashing (glass, promises).
⭐ Usage Tips
Common Tool
If you are using a sharp object (like scissors or a knife), you will almost always use 'cortar'.
Cortar: To turn off (power or water supply).
cortar(verb)
to turn off
?power or water supply
,to interrupt
?a conversation or signal
to stop
?a flow or circulation
,to hang up
?a phone call (in some regions)
📝 In Action
Si no pagas la factura, te cortan el teléfono.
B1If you don't pay the bill, they will cut off your phone (service).
El presentador cortó la entrevista porque no había tiempo.
B2The host interrupted the interview because there wasn't time.
La lluvia fuerte cortó la señal de televisión.
B1The heavy rain cut the TV signal.
💡 Grammar Points
Passive Construction
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).
⭐ Usage Tips
Utilities
Use 'cortar' for any utility that stops flowing: water ('el agua'), gas ('el gas'), or electricity ('la luz').
Cortar: To break up (end a romantic relationship).
cortar(verb)
to break up
?end a romantic relationship
to feel shy/embarrassed
?when used reflexively: 'cortarse'
,to curdle
?food, like milk
📝 In Action
Mi hermana y su novio cortaron la semana pasada.
B2My sister and her boyfriend broke up last week.
Cada vez que habla con ella, se corta y no dice nada.
B2Every time he talks to her, he gets shy and doesn't say anything.
¡Qué pena! La leche se cortó y ya no sirve.
C1What a shame! The milk curdled and is no longer usable.
💡 Grammar Points
The Reflexive 'Cortarse'
When you use 'cortarse' (with 'me, te, se, nos'), it means the action happens to you internally, usually signifying shyness or embarrassment.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'cortar' transitively for relationships
Mistake: "Decir: 'Yo corté a mi novia.'"
Correction: Always use 'cortar con' when breaking up: 'Corté con mi novia' (I broke up with my girlfriend).
⭐ Usage Tips
Relationship Status
In many Spanish-speaking countries, simply saying 'cortaron' is the quickest and most common way to say 'they broke up'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cortar
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'cortar' is used when someone stops talking mid-sentence because they are nervous?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I say 'to cut off' someone in traffic?
While 'cortar' can mean to interrupt, for traffic, the phrase 'cerrar el paso' (to close the way) or 'cerrar el camino' is more common and natural.
Is 'cortado' just the past participle, or is it a noun?
'Cortado' is both! It is the past participle ('cut'), but it is also a very common noun referring to a small cup of coffee with a dash of milk, literally meaning 'cut' (referring to the milk cutting the strong coffee).