Inklingo

How to Say "cut" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “cut” is “corte” — use 'corte' when referring to a general cut, like a wound from an object, or a slice made by cutting..

corte🔊B1

Use 'corte' when referring to a general cut, like a wound from an object, or a slice made by cutting.

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cortado🔊B1

Use 'cortado' as an adjective to describe something that has been severed, sliced, or cut off.

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parte🔊B1

Use 'parte' as a verb when giving a direct command to divide or slice food items like bread, cake, or pizza.

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herida🔊A2

Use 'herida' specifically for a wound or injury on the body, often implying it needs medical attention.

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partida🔊B1

Use 'partida' as an adjective to describe something that has been split or divided into pieces, often wood or similar materials.

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talla🔊B2

Use 'talla' when referring to the specific cut or shape given to a gemstone, diamond, or a carved piece of wood.

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presa🔊C1

Use 'presa' to refer to a specific cut of meat, particularly for poultry or game animals.

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English → Spanish

corte

/KOR-teh//ˈkoɾ.te/

nounB1general
Use 'corte' when referring to a general cut, like a wound from an object, or a slice made by cutting.
A close-up view of a human index finger with a small, clean red cut across the skin, illustrating a physical injury.

Examples

Me hice un corte en el dedo con un papel.

I got a paper cut on my finger.

Necesito un corte de pelo nuevo.

I need a new haircut.

Hubo un corte de luz en todo el barrio.

There was a power outage in the whole neighborhood.

Corte el pan en rebanadas, por favor.

Cut the bread into slices, please. (formal command)

Not a Standalone Verb

'Corte' isn't a base verb. It's a special form of 'cortar' (to cut) used for formal commands ('Corte aquí' - 'Cut here') or in situations expressing wishes, doubts, or suggestions ('Quiero que corte el césped' - 'I want you to cut the grass').

cortado

/kor-TAH-doh//koɾˈtaðo/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'cortado' as an adjective to describe something that has been severed, sliced, or cut off.
A bright red apple that has been cleanly sliced in half, resting on a surface.

Examples

El hilo está cortado, no podemos coser.

The thread is cut; we cannot sew.

Se quedó sin batería y la llamada fue cortada.

The battery died and the call was interrupted.

Agreement

Like many Spanish adjectives, 'cortado' must change its ending to match the thing it describes: 'la línea cortada' (feminine) or 'los cables cortados' (plural).

parte

/PAR-teh//ˈpaɾte/

verbB1informal command
Use 'parte' as a verb when giving a direct command to divide or slice food items like bread, cake, or pizza.
A hand using a knife to neatly slice a round cheese wheel into two perfect halves on a wooden board.

Examples

Parte el pastel en ocho trozos, por favor.

Cut the cake into eight pieces, please.

Es importante que usted parte de cero en este proyecto.

It's important that you start from scratch on this project.

No quiero que se parte la cuerda.

I don't want the rope to break.

A Form of the Verb 'partir'

This isn't a word on its own, but a form of the verb 'partir' (to cut, split, leave). You'll see 'parte' used as a command for 'tú' (you): '¡Parte el pan!' (Cut the bread!).

herida

eh-REE-dah/eˈɾiða/

nounA2general
Use 'herida' specifically for a wound or injury on the body, often implying it needs medical attention.
A close-up view of a scraped knee with a small adhesive bandage covering the minor injury.

Examples

Necesitas limpiar bien la herida para evitar una infección.

You need to clean the wound well to avoid an infection.

Después del accidente, le pusieron puntos en la herida.

After the accident, they put stitches in the injury.

Always Feminine

Even though many words ending in '-a' are feminine, remember that 'herida' always uses feminine articles (la herida, una herida).

Confusing Noun and Adjective

Mistake: “La herida mujer (The wound woman)”

Correction: La mujer herida (The wounded woman). 'Herida' works as an adjective when describing someone, but as a noun when it's the injury itself.

partida

par-TEE-dah/paɾˈtiða/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'partida' as an adjective to describe something that has been split or divided into pieces, often wood or similar materials.
A red apple that has been cleanly cut into two equal halves.

Examples

La madera estaba partida en pequeños trozos.

The wood was split into small pieces.

Tenía la boca partida después del accidente.

She had a cut/split lip after the accident.

Agreement

As an adjective, 'partida' must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. This is the feminine singular form.

talla

TAH-yah/ˈtaʎa/

nounB2specific context (gems, carvings)
Use 'talla' when referring to the specific cut or shape given to a gemstone, diamond, or a carved piece of wood.
A detailed but simple wooden carving of a stylized bird resting on a small block of wood, showing the texture of the carving.

Examples

La iglesia está llena de tallas de madera antiguas.

The church is full of ancient wooden carvings (sculptures).

El diamante tiene una talla perfecta que refleja la luz.

The diamond has a perfect cut that reflects the light.

Connection to the Verb

This meaning comes directly from the verb 'tallar,' which means 'to carve' or 'to cut.' 'Talla' is the resulting object or the act itself.

presa

PREH-sah/ˈpɾe.sa/

nounC1culinary (meat)
Use 'presa' to refer to a specific cut of meat, particularly for poultry or game animals.
A storybook illustration showing a single, large, cooked chicken drumstick resting on a plain white ceramic plate.

Examples

Pedimos dos presas de pollo y una porción de papas.

We ordered two pieces of chicken and a portion of fries.

La presa del cerdo ibérico es un corte muy apreciado en España.

The Iberian pork 'presa' (a specific cut) is a very appreciated cut in Spain.

Action vs. Result

Learners often confuse 'corte' (noun for the cut/wound) with 'cortado' (adjective for being cut). Remember, 'corte' is the injury or the slice itself, while 'cortado' describes the state of something that has been cut.

Related Translations

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