tallar
“tallar” means “to carve” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
to carve
Also: to sculpt, to cut
📝 In Action
El carpintero talló una figura hermosa en el tronco.
B1The carpenter carved a beautiful figure into the trunk.
Es difícil tallar el diamante con tanta precisión.
B2It is difficult to cut the diamond with such precision.
Los antiguos mayas tallaban la piedra para sus templos.
C1The ancient Mayans carved stone for their temples.
to rub, to scrub
Also: to itch/chafe
📝 In Action
No te talles los ojos con las manos sucias.
A2Don't rub your eyes with dirty hands.
Tienes que tallar bien la mancha de la camisa.
A2You have to scrub the stain on the shirt well.
Estos zapatos me tallan un poco al caminar.
B1These shoes rub/chafe me a bit when I walk.
to measure height
📝 In Action
El enfermero me va a tallar y a pesar.
B2The nurse is going to measure my height and weigh me.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: tallar
Question 1 of 3
If an artist is working on a piece of wood with a knife, what is he doing?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From 'talla' (cut/size), which comes from the Latin 'taleare' (to cut twigs or cuttings). It shares the same root as the English word 'tailor'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'tallar' and 'esculpir'?
'Tallar' is specifically removing material from a hard surface (carving wood/stone). 'Esculpir' is the broader art of sculpting, which can include adding material (like clay).
Can I use 'tallar' to mean 'to scrub' the floor?
Yes, especially in Mexico and Latin America, 'tallar' is frequently used to mean scrubbing or rubbing a surface to clean it.
Is 'tallar' a regular verb?
Yes, it follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar in all tenses.