Spanish Conversation · Level 24
88 words
Spanish word
cortar
Pronunciation
IPA/koɾˈtaɾ/
Meaning
- verbcut
Example
¿Me puedes cortar el pelo mañana?
Can you cut my hair tomorrow?
More examples
Han cortado la luz por un fallo en la central eléctrica.
They have cut the power because of a fault at the power station.
Core concept
A continuous line broken by a gap.
Common phrases
cortar el pelo
cut one's hair
cortar el pan
cut the bread
cortar la luz
cut the power
Similar words
interrumpir: Interrupts a conversation or activity midway, causing a temporary break in its flow.
recortar: Cuts away excess parts to trim or reshape an object, making it smaller or neater.
detener: Stops a moving thing or halts an ongoing action, bringing motion or progress to an end.
Definition in Spanish
Separar algo en partes o interrumpir la continuidad de algo, ya sea de forma física o en sentido figurado.
Word origin
The verb comes from Vulgar Latin *cortāre and the noun corte, originally meaning to sever, and its sense broadens to interrupting or shortening continuity.
Usage tips
- Cortar emphasizes severing or interrupting continuity, whereas partir and romper typically describe splitting or breaking an object into pieces.