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tallar

ta-YAR/taˈʝaɾ/

to carve

Also: to sculpt, to cut
VerbB1regular ar
A wooden block being transformed into a small bird figurine by a sharp metal tool.
gerundtallando
past Participletallado
infinitivetallar

📝 In Action

El carpintero talló una figura hermosa en el tronco.

B1

The carpenter carved a beautiful figure into the trunk.

Es difícil tallar el diamante con tanta precisión.

B2

It is difficult to cut the diamond with such precision.

Los antiguos mayas tallaban la piedra para sus templos.

C1

The ancient Mayans carved stone for their temples.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • esculpir (to sculpt)
  • cincelar (to chisel)

Antonyms

  • modelar (to model/mold (usually by adding material rather than carving it away))

Common Collocations

  • tallar madera – to carve wood
  • tallar a mano – to carve by hand

to rub, to scrub

Also: to itch/chafe
VerbA2regular arinformal
Mexico
A person using a soapy sponge to scrub a dirty white plate.
gerundtallando
past Participletallado
infinitivetallar

📝 In Action

No te talles los ojos con las manos sucias.

A2

Don't rub your eyes with dirty hands.

Tienes que tallar bien la mancha de la camisa.

A2

You have to scrub the stain on the shirt well.

Estos zapatos me tallan un poco al caminar.

B1

These shoes rub/chafe me a bit when I walk.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • frotar (to rub)
  • restregar (to scrub)

Common Collocations

  • tallarse los ojos – to rub one's eyes
  • tallar la ropa – to scrub clothes

to measure height

VerbB2regular ar
A child standing straight against a wooden wall while an adult marks their height.
gerundtallando
past Participletallado
infinitivetallar

📝 In Action

El enfermero me va a tallar y a pesar.

B2

The nurse is going to measure my height and weigh me.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • tallar y pesar – to measure height and weight

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedestallaran
yotallara
tútallaras
vosotrostallarais
nosotrostalláramos
él/ella/ustedtallara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedestallen
yotalle
tútalles
vosotrostalléis
nosotrostallemos
él/ella/ustedtalle

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedestallaron
yotallé
tútallaste
vosotrostallasteis
nosotrostallamos
él/ella/ustedtalló

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedestallaban
yotallaba
tútallabas
vosotrostallabais
nosotrostallábamos
él/ella/ustedtallaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedestallan
yotallo
tútallas
vosotrostalláis
nosotrostallamos
él/ella/ustedtalla
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "tallar" in Spanish:

to carve→to cut→to rub→to scrub→to sculpt→

✏️ 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▼
la talla(size / carving) — Noun
tallado(carved / carving) — Adjective / Noun
el taller(workshop) — Noun
el tallador(carver) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 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)

French: taillerItalian: tagliare

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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.