What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb cortar (to cut) and the noun phrase el césped (the lawn/grass).
Which one should you use?
While cortar el césped is a common way to say this, cortar el pasto is a very frequent alternative used in many Latin American countries. If you wish to emphasize the act of trimming or pruning the vegetation specifically, you can use podar el césped. Additionally, in Spain and some other Spanish-speaking regions, you may encounter the phrase segar el césped.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, people predominantly use the phrase cortar el césped. In Mexico and various Latin American countries, cortar el pasto is the most widely understood phrase for this action.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of mowing the lawn, use the gerund form cortando el césped.
How do you pronounce it?
/koɾtaɾ el θesped/
Did you know?
- The verb cortar shares an ancestral root with the English word 'curtail', both descending from the Latin 'curtāre' meaning 'to shorten'.
- While cortar means 'to cut', it is used in Spanish for everything from cutting a piece of paper to cutting a phone call or even cutting a romantic relationship.
- The verb segar specifically evokes the image of using a scythe, a curved blade used for centuries before the invention of the motorized lawn mower.
Examples in context
- Tengo que cortar el césped todas las semanas.I need to mow the lawn every week.This sentence shows a weekly chore using cortar el césped.Tatoeba #8677603 by arh, translation #9189321 by DJ_Saidez
- Aprovechemos las vacaciones para cortar el césped.Let's take advantage of the vacation to mow the lawn.This sentence uses cortar el césped to suggest a way to use vacation time.Tatoeba #1946207 by teskmon, translation #19785 by Ignoto
- «¿Vas a cortar el césped hoy, Tom?» «¿No puedo hacerlo mañana? Es que hoy no me apetece.»"Are you going to mow the lawn today, Tom?" "Can't I do it tomorrow? I don't feel like doing it today."This dialogue shows a conversation about the desire or reluctance to perform the task of cortar el césped.Tatoeba #10041718 by Shishir, translation #10042213 by DJ_Saidez
- ¿Puede usted cortar el césped mañana por la mañana?Can you mow the lawn tomorrow morning?
- Voy a cortar el pasto esta tarde.I'm going to mow the lawn this afternoon.
- Mi hermano siempre se encarga de segar el césped.My brother always takes care of mowing the lawn.
Example conversation
Maria and Daniel are talking about household chores.
- MaríaDaniel, ¿puedes cortar el césped este fin de semana?Daniel, can you mow the lawn this weekend?
- DanielClaro, lo haré el sábado por la mañana.Sure, I will do it Saturday morning.
- MaríaGracias, ya está muy largo.Thanks, it is already very long.
- DanielNo hay problema, yo me encargo.No problem, I'll take care of it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cortar, césped, el, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
