cortar
/koɾˈtaɾ/
To cut off in Spanish is cortar.
The verb cortar is used when referring to the abrupt termination of services such as electricity, water or internet. For more formal contexts involving the interruption or discontinuation of an action or event, you might use Suspender. If you are specifically referring to a phone call or conversation being cut off, the formal term Interrumpir is commonly used.
Meaning: to end abruptly (verb)
How do you pronounce it?
/koɾˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spain, cortar is used in the phrase cortar el bacalao, which literally means 'to cut the cod' but actually means to be the boss or the one in charge.
- If you are driving and another car 'cuts you off', Spanish speakers often use the verb meter to describe the car 'inserting' itself into your lane, rather than 'cutting'.
- The verb cortar is also used to describe the curdling of milk, where the proteins 'cut' or separate from the liquid.
Examples in context
- A Tom le cortaron la electricidad.Tom had the electricity cut off.This sentence is useful for showing how cortar is used regarding electricity.Tatoeba #10090880 by manufrutos, translation #10090751 by Silja
- Me cortaron la conexión a Internet.My internet connection was cut off.This sentence shows the use of cortar in relation to an internet connection.Tatoeba #1361248 by marcelostockle, translation #326868 by CK
- Han vuelto a cortar la electricidad.They've cut off the electricity again.This sentence demonstrates using cortar when the electricity is cut off again.Tatoeba #9755596 by Shishir, translation #9778666 by helloroto
- La llamada se interrumpió repentinamenteThe call was suddenly cut off
- Me cortaste la onda cuando estaba hablandoYou cut me off while I was talking
- La llamada se cayó antes de que pudiera decirle algoThe call got cut off before I could say anything to him/her
- Decidí cortar de golpe con mi ex parejaI decided to cut off my relationship abruptly with my ex-partner
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are talking on the phone during a storm.
- LucíaMateo, te escuchas mal, creo que nos van a cortar.Mateo, you sound bad, I think we are going to be cut off.
- MateoYo también noto interferencia, no quiero que nos corten.I notice interference too, I don't want us to be cut off.
- Lucía¡Oh no! Me cortaron la llamada justo ahora.Oh no! They cut off my call just now.
- MateoLucía, ¿sigues ahí? Me cortaron la comunicación.Lucía, are you still there? They cut off my communication.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cut off” translations and entries cortar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
