córtala
/koɾtala/from spelling rules
The English phrase "cut it out" is translated into Spanish as córtala.
In English, "cut it out" is an idiom used to tell someone to stop doing something annoying or inappropriate. However, in Spanish, a literal translation using the verb for cutting is rarely used to express this sentiment. To achieve the same meaning as the English idiom, native speakers are much more likely to use phrases like ¡Ya basta! or ¡Para!
Which one should you use?
While córtala can be used as a command to physically cut an object out of something, it does not function as an idiomatic way to tell someone to stop behaving inappropriately in Spanish.
How does it change in a sentence?
The imperative para is the most common way to tell someone to "stop" an action in an informal setting.
How do you pronounce it?
/koɾtala/
Did you know?
- If you want to say 'cut it out' in a more aggressive or slangy way in certain regions, you might use ¡Corta el rollo!, which literally means 'cut the roll'. This is used specifically when someone is talking too much or being boring.
- In many Latin American countries, the single word ¡Ya! can function as a sharp command to 'cut it out'. It is a highly efficient way to signal that a person has crossed a line without using a full sentence.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying ¡Para! is often accompanied by a sharp, open-palm gesture toward the other person to signal a hard stop.
Examples in context
- Deje de hacer eso, por favor.Stop doing that, please.
- ¡Deja de hacer eso!Cut it out!
- Párale, por favor.Cut it out, please.
- Deja de portarte mal o te meterás en problemas.Cut it out or you'll get into trouble.
- ¡Córtala ya, me estás molestando!Cut it out already, you are bothering me!
- Si no dejas de hacer eso, te diré: córtala.If you don't stop doing that, I'll tell you: cut it out.
- Esa broma no tiene gracia, ¡córtala!That joke isn't funny, cut it out!
Example conversation
Sofía is trying to study while Alejandro makes loud noises with a pen.
- SofíaAlejandro, ese ruido es muy molesto.Alejandro, that noise is very annoying.
- AlejandroSolo es un pequeño juego, Sofía.It is just a little game, Sofía.
- SofíaNo, ¡córtala de una vez!No, cut it out once and for all!
- AlejandroEstá bien, lo siento.Fine, I am sorry.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
