corten
KOR-ten
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Por favor, corten el pastel en ocho pedazos iguales.
A2Please, cut the cake into eight equal pieces.
El director gritó: '¡Corten! ¡La escena está perfecta!'
B1The director shouted: 'Cut! The scene is perfect!'
Es necesario que corten la luz antes de empezar a trabajar.
B1It is necessary that they cut the power before starting to work.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Ustedes' Command
When you want to give an order to a formal group, you use the 'ustedes' command, which is the same form as the 'ellos/ellas/ustedes' present subjunctive. Just say 'corten'.
Subjunctive Mood
'Corten' is the special verb form used when expressing wishes, desires, or doubt about an action that 'they' or 'you all' must do. (E.g., 'Ojalá que corten la cinta' - Hopefully they cut the ribbon).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Imperative Forms
Mistake: "Using 'cortan' when giving a command to a group: '¡Cortan la cuerda!'"
Correction: The command form is 'corten.' Remember, commands for formal groups always look like the present subjunctive: '¡Corten la cuerda!'
⭐ Usage Tips
The Film Set Word
In film or theater, '¡Corten!' is the universal Spanish command for 'Cut!' (stop filming), directly translating the English term.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: corten
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'corten' as a command?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'corten' only used for physical cutting?
No. While it means 'to cut,' it is very often used figuratively to mean 'to stop,' 'to interrupt,' or 'to disconnect' (like cutting power or stopping a conversation).
How do I know if 'corten' is a command or a subjunctive phrase?
If it is the first word in the sentence (or follows a name) and has an exclamation point (¡Corten!), it is a command. If it follows words like 'que' and verbs of emotion or doubt (Espero que corten...), it is the subjunctive form.