Inklingo

How to Say "to cut" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cortar

/kor-tar//koɾˈtaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'cortar' when referring to the general action of dividing something with a sharp instrument like scissors or a knife.
A pair of large red scissors cutting a strip of blue paper.

Examples

Necesito cortar el césped este fin de semana.

I need to cut the grass this weekend.

Necesito cortar la carne en trozos pequeños para la cena.

I need to cut the meat into small pieces for dinner.

¿Puedes cortar el césped hoy? Está muy largo.

Can you mow the lawn today? It's very long.

Ten cuidado de no cortarte el dedo con ese cuchillo.

Be careful not to cut your finger with that knife.

Using 'Se' for Accidents

When talking about accidentally cutting yourself, Spanish often uses the 'se' structure: 'Se me cortó el dedo' (The finger cut itself to me), which means 'I cut my finger by accident'.

Confusing 'cortar' and 'romper'

Mistake: “Using 'romper' (to break) when you mean 'cortar' (to cut) something with a blade.”

Correction: Use 'cortar' for clean divisions (paper, hair) and 'romper' for tearing or smashing (glass, promises).

partir

/par-TEER//paɾˈtiɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'partir' when you mean to divide something, especially food, into two or more pieces, often in half or into specific portions.
A hand holding a knife cutting a single red apple exactly in half on a wooden cutting board.

Examples

¿Puedes partir la tarta en seis pedazos?

Can you cut the cake into six pieces?

Necesito partir el pastel en ocho rebanadas iguales.

I need to cut the cake into eight equal slices.

Partieron la leña para la chimenea antes de la cena.

They split the firewood for the fireplace before dinner.

Ellos partieron la herencia entre los tres hermanos.

They divided the inheritance among the three siblings.

Transitive Use

In this sense, 'partir' is transitive, meaning the action directly affects something. You must always say what you are dividing or splitting.

Cortar vs. Partir for Food

Learners often mistakenly use 'cortar' when 'partir' is more appropriate for dividing food items. Remember that 'partir' specifically implies breaking something into parts, especially for serving or sharing.

Related Translations

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