Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| corte | /ˈkoɾte/ | masculine |
| recorte | /reˈkoɾte/ | masculine |
| recortadura | /rekoɾtaduɾa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| cortamiento | /koɾtamjento/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term corte refers to the general act of cutting or a physical cut/incision made by a tool or a wound. You can also use the related adjective cortante to describe an object that is sharp enough to cut.
Which one should you use?
While corte is used for the act of cutting or a wound, other forms specify the nature of the result: recorte refers to a cutout (such as from paper) or a reduction (such as budget cuts) and recortadura refers specifically to the physical scraps or leftovers produced by the cutting process. Additionally, the adjective tajante can be used to describe something that is potentially hurtful.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
corte is a masculine noun. recorte is also masculine, while recortadura is a feminine noun. cortamiento is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkoɾte/
Did you know?
- The word corte can refer to two completely different things: a physical cut or an official royal court. This happens because the word has two distinct origins, one from the Latin 'curtus' meaning short and another from 'cohors' meaning an enclosure or group.
- The word tajante can describe a person's words as 'cutting' or 'sharp', but it implies a level of finality and bluntness that goes beyond just being rude.
Examples in context
- No te preocupes, no duele que te corten el pelo.Don't worry, cutting your hair doesn't hurt.This sentence shows how to use corte when discussing the act of cutting hair.Tatoeba #2394273 by Shishir, translation #1365862 by marcelostockle
- La peluquera está cortando el cabello de su cliente.The hairdresser is cutting her client's hair.
- Estoy troceando las verduras para hacer una sopa.I'm chopping the vegetables to make a soup.
- Estoy picando la cebolla para hacer una ensalada.I'm chopping the onion to make a salad.
- Estoy rebanando el pan para hacer unas tostadas.I'm slicing the bread to make toast.
- El corte de la tela fue muy preciso.The cutting of the fabric was very precise.
- Hicieron un corte limpio en la madera.They made a clean cut in the wood.
Example conversation
A tailor shop where María is checking a piece of fabric.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿viste el corte de este vestido?Alejandro, did you see the cutting of this dress?
- AlejandroSí, es un corte muy elegante.Yes, it is a very elegant cut.
- MaríaMe alegra que te guste mi trabajo.I am glad that you like my work.
- AlejandroEres una excelente costurera, María.You are an excellent seamstress, María.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cutting” translations and entries corte, recorte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries corte, recorte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
