interrumpir
/interumˈpiɾ/
To cut short is interrumpir in Spanish.
Interrumpir is the standard verb used to express cutting short an event, a process or a duration, such as cutting a trip short. It can also be used to mean interrupting a person while they are speaking.
Meaning: to curtail (verb)
Which one should you use?
While cortar means to cut something using a blade, you should use interrumpir when you mean to prematurely end an event or duration.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the colloquial phrase Cortar de tajo is used to mean cutting abruptly.
How does it change in a sentence?
Interrumpir is a regular -ir verb. In the present tense, its forms are interrumpo, interrumpes, interrumpe, interrumpimos and interrumpen.
How do you pronounce it?
/interumˈpiɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the literal verb cortar (to cut with a blade) when you want to express the idea of cutting short an event. Use interrumpir instead.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, interrupting someone is often seen as a sign of engagement and interest rather than a lack of politeness.
- In certain contexts, if you want to say someone 'cut short' a conversation in a very decisive or even rude manner, you might hear someone say they 'cortaron de raíz', which literally means 'to cut from the root'.
- The Spanish verb interrumpir shares a Latin root with the English word 'rupture', meaning to break or burst. This reflects the idea that an interruption is a sudden 'breaking' of a continuous flow or process.
Examples in context
- Tuve que interrumpir mi discurso debido a un problema técnicoI had to cut short my speech due to a technical issue
- El profesor acortó la lección debido a la falta de tiempoThe teacher cut short the lesson due to lack of time
- El concierto finalizó antes de tiempo debido a un problema técnicoThe concert came to an end prematurely due to a technical issue
- Tuve que cortar la llamada telefónica porque tenía que salirI had to cut the phone call short because I had to leave
- Tuvimos que truncar la reunión debido a un imprevistoWe had to cut the meeting short due to an unexpected event
- Tuve que cortar de tajo la conversación porque estaba ocupadoI had to cut the conversation short abruptly because I was busy
- Decidimos recortar el tiempo del almuerzo para completar el proyectoWe decided to cut short lunchtime to complete the project
- Tuve que interrumpir nuestras vacaciones debido a un problema familiarI had to cut short our vacation due to a family issue
- Corté la conversación telefónica para atender a otra personaI cut short the phone conversation to attend to someone else
- El director acortó el evento por razones de seguridadThe director cut short the event for safety reasons
- Tuvimos que truncar la presentación debido a problemas técnicosWe had to cut short the presentation due to technical difficulties
- La lluvia interrumpió el partido.The rain cut the match short.
- No quiero interrumpir tu discurso.I don't want to interrupt your speech.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking at a coffee shop.
- DanielTengo mucho que contarte sobre mi viaje.I have so much to tell you about my trip.
- MaríaPerdona, pero voy a interrumpir tu historia.Sorry, but I'm going to cut short your story.
- Daniel¿Por qué tienes que interrumpir ahora, María?Why do you have to cut me short now, María?
- MaríaMi jefe me acaba de llamar por teléfono.My boss just called me on the phone.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry interrumpir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries interrumpir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
