cortar
/koɾˈtaɾ/
To cut in Spanish is cortar. Wiktionary also lists tranzar.
Meaning: to divide with a sharp instrument (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| cortar | /koɾˈtaɾ/ |
| tranzar | /tɾanˈθaɾ/ /tɾanˈsaɾ/ |
Cortar is the standard verb used to describe the act of dividing something using a sharp instrument, such as cutting hair, paper, food or other physical objects. The noun form of this action is corte.
Which one should you use?
While cortar is the standard term, tranzar is another form provided. Additionally, trozar is a term used specifically when referring to cutting something into smaller pieces or segments.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form cortar is used to express the concept of cutting. The word corten is a form of the verb used for translations.
How do you pronounce it?
/koɾˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you say cortar el bacalao, you are not talking about cutting dried fish, but rather about being the person in charge or 'calling the shots'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, cortar is used to describe the process of curdling milk, as in la leche se cortó.
- The verb cortar shares an ancestral root with the English word 'curtail', which originally meant to make something shorter.
Examples in context
- Te cortaron el cabello.They cut your hair.This sentence shows the use of cortar regarding hair.Tatoeba #11156615 by JSKabylie, translation #11160266 by DJ_Saidez
- ¡Déjame cortarte el pelo!Let me cut your hair!This sentence demonstrates an imperative use of cortar regarding hair.Tatoeba #2929658 by marcelostockle, translation #2219762 by Hybrid
- Acabo de cortarme un dedo.I just cut my finger.This sentence shows the use of cortar in the context of a physical injury.Tatoeba #1036071 by hayastan, translation #246249 by CK
- Por favor, corte esta cuerda con cuidado.Please cut this rope carefully.
- La chef trozó las verduras antes de cocinarlas.The chef cut the vegetables into pieces before cooking them.
- ¡Corta el rollo!Cut it out/Stop talking!
- Me cortó el pelo mi primo.My cousin cut my hair.
- 73 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are preparing dinner in the kitchen.
- SofíaDaniel, ¿puedes cortar el queso?Daniel, can you cut the cheese?
- DanielSí, voy a cortar la pieza ahora.Yes, I am going to cut the piece now.
- SofíaGracias, usa un cuchillo afilado.Thank you, use a sharp knife.
- DanielNo te preocupes, lo haré con cuidado.Don't worry, I will do it carefully.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cut” translations and entries cortar, tranzar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cortar, tranzar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
