cortar
“cortar” means “to cut” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
to cut, to slice
Also: to chop, to mow
📝 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.
to turn off, to interrupt
Also: to stop, to hang up
📝 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.
to break up
Also: to feel shy/embarrassed, to curdle
📝 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.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
🔀 Commonly Confused With
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "cortar" in Spanish:
to chop→to curdle→to cut→to interrupt→to mow→to slice→to stop→✏️ 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
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Vulgar Latin *curtāre*, which itself is related to the Latin word *curtus*, meaning 'short.' The idea is to make something shorter or separate it by force.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (around the 13th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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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).