no cortar el césped
/no koɾtaɾ el θesped/from spelling rules
The phrase "do not mow" in Spanish is translated as no cortar el césped.
The infinitive form no cortar el césped is commonly used on signs or written instructions to indicate a prohibition.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of no (not), cortar (to cut), el (the) and césped (grass/lawn).
Which one should you use?
While no cortar el césped is the default form, you may use different variations depending on whether you are speaking to one person or a group. For example, No corte el césped is used for a single person in a formal context, while No cortes el césped is used for an informal context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American countries, pasto is used more frequently than césped to refer to grass. Therefore, you might see or hear no cortar el pasto.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing a group of people, the command form changes to no corten el césped.
How do you pronounce it?
/no koɾtaɾ el θesped/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word cortar is a distant relative of the English word 'curtail'. Both come from the Latin root meaning to shorten.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word pasto can refer to both a manicured lawn and the hay used to feed livestock.
- Using the infinitive form no cortar el césped on a sign is not a grammatical error, but a way to issue an 'impersonal' command directed at anyone who reads it.
Examples in context
- Juan, por favor, no corte el césped hasta la próxima semana. Estamos solucionando un problema de riego.Juan, please do not mow the lawn until next week. We are fixing an irrigation issue.
- Es mejor no cortar el césped con lluvia.It is better not to mow the lawn in the rain.
Example conversation
Elena is talking to Daniel in the garden.
- ElenaDaniel, no cortar el césped hoy.Daniel, do not mow the lawn today.
- Daniel¿Por qué no debo hacerlo?Why should I not do it?
- ElenaPorque el clima está muy seco.Because the weather is very dry.
- DanielEstá bien, yo no lo cortaré.All right, I will not cut it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cortar, césped, el, no, CC BY-SA 4.0.
