What is the difference between "cortar", "rajar" in Spanish?

The English word 'to slice' can be translated into Spanish in several ways, depending on the context. The main difference lies in the type of cut or the object being cut.

How to Say "to slice" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to slice” is “cortar” — use 'cortar' when you are generally cutting food into pieces or portions.

cortar🔊A1

Use 'cortar' when you are generally cutting food into pieces or portions.

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rajar🔊B1

Use 'rajar' when you are cutting something open or splitting it, often a larger item like firewood or a fruit that needs to be opened.

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English → Spanish

cortar

kor-tarkoɾˈtaɾ

verbA1general

Use 'cortar' when you are generally cutting food into pieces or portions.

A pair of large red scissors cutting a strip of blue paper.

Examples

Necesito cortar la carne en trozos pequeños para la cena.

I need to slice 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).

See full entry for “cortar” →

rajar

rah-HARra'xaɾ

verbB1general

Use 'rajar' when you are cutting something open or splitting it, often a larger item like firewood or a fruit that needs to be opened.

A thick wooden log being split down the middle with a large metal wedge.

Examples

Tuvimos que rajar la leña para la chimenea.

We had to split the firewood for the fireplace.

El frío intenso rajó la superficie del suelo.

The intense cold cracked the surface of the ground.

Raja la sandía por la mitad, por favor.

Slice the watermelon in half, please.

A regular verb

This verb follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar. No surprise stem changes here!

Physical Action

When used physically, it usually describes an action where a solid object gets a long, thin opening or break.

Rajar vs. Rayar

Mistake: “Using 'rajar' when you mean to scratch something.”

Correction: Use 'rayar' for surface scratches (like on a car) and 'rajar' when the object actually cracks or splits open.

See full entry for “rajar” →

Cortar vs. Rajar

Learners often confuse 'cortar' and 'rajar' because both involve cutting. Remember that 'cortar' is for general slicing, especially of food, while 'rajar' implies cutting something open or splitting it.

Related Translations

to badmouth→to chop→to crack→to curdle→to cut→to gossip→to interrupt→to mow→

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