How to Say "to shorten" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to shorten” is “acortar” — use 'acortar' when you are physically reducing the length of an object or decreasing the duration of an event..
acortar
/ah-kor-TAHR//akoɾˈtaɾ/
Examples
Voy a acortar esta falda para que sea más moderna.
I am going to shorten this skirt so that it is more modern.
Tengo que acortar estos pantalones porque me quedan muy largos.
I have to shorten these pants because they are too long for me.
El sastre puede acortar las mangas de la chaqueta.
The tailor can shorten the sleeves of the jacket.
Decidieron acortar el camino yendo por el bosque.
They decided to shorten the way by going through the forest.
A Regular Verb Pattern
This verb is completely regular. It follows the same pattern as other '-ar' verbs like 'hablar' or 'caminar'.
The 'a-' Prefix
In Spanish, the 'a-' at the beginning of verbs often means 'moving towards' a state. Here, 'a-' + 'corto' (short) means 'to make something short'.
Using 'se' with Acortar
When things shorten by themselves (like days or time), use the reflexive form: 'Los días se acortan'.
Acortar vs. Cortar
Mistake: “Voy a cortar mis pantalones.”
Correction: Say 'acortar' if you want to make them shorter. Using 'cortar' sounds like you are cutting them into pieces or cutting them off entirely.
Confusing with 'abbreviate'
Mistake: “Quiero acortar la palabra 'teléfono'.”
Correction: Use 'abreviar' for words and 'acortar' for time, length, or physical items.
acortar
/ah-kor-TAHR//akoɾˈtaɾ/
Examples
Podemos acortar el viaje si salimos más temprano.
We can shorten the trip if we leave earlier.
Tengo que acortar estos pantalones porque me quedan muy largos.
I have to shorten these pants because they are too long for me.
El sastre puede acortar las mangas de la chaqueta.
The tailor can shorten the sleeves of the jacket.
Decidieron acortar el camino yendo por el bosque.
They decided to shorten the way by going through the forest.
A Regular Verb Pattern
This verb is completely regular. It follows the same pattern as other '-ar' verbs like 'hablar' or 'caminar'.
The 'a-' Prefix
In Spanish, the 'a-' at the beginning of verbs often means 'moving towards' a state. Here, 'a-' + 'corto' (short) means 'to make something short'.
Using 'se' with Acortar
When things shorten by themselves (like days or time), use the reflexive form: 'Los días se acortan'.
Acortar vs. Cortar
Mistake: “Voy a cortar mis pantalones.”
Correction: Say 'acortar' if you want to make them shorter. Using 'cortar' sounds like you are cutting them into pieces or cutting them off entirely.
Confusing with 'abbreviate'
Mistake: “Quiero acortar la palabra 'teléfono'.”
Correction: Use 'abreviar' for words and 'acortar' for time, length, or physical items.
contraer
/kon-tra-EHR//kon.tɾaˈeɾ/
Examples
En inglés, 'do not' se contrae para formar 'don't'.
In English, 'do not' is contracted to form 'don't'.
El frío hace que los metales se contraigan.
Cold makes metals contract.
Debes contraer los abdominales durante el ejercicio.
You should contract your abs during the exercise.
En español, 'a' y 'el' se deben contraer en 'al'.
In Spanish, 'a' and 'el' must be shortened into 'al'.
The 'Yo' Surprise
Just like the word 'traer' (to bring), this word adds a 'g' in the 'I' form of the present tense: 'yo contraigo'.
The 'J' in the Past
When talking about the past (the finished kind), the 'er' changes to a 'j' sound: 'yo contraje' instead of 'contraí'.
Don't say 'Contraí'
Mistake: “Yo contraí una deuda.”
Correction: Yo contraje una deuda. (This verb uses a special 'j' stem in the past tense.)
The Gerund 'Y'
Mistake: “está contraiendo”
Correction: está contrayendo. (When 'i' is between two vowels, it changes to 'y' in Spanish.)
Acortar vs. Contraer
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.