corto
/ˈkor.to/
The Italian word for short is corto.
corto is used to describe something as abrupt, brief, pointed or petulant. It is also used in the idiomatic prepositional phrase a corto di to express being short of a resource, such as food, money or breath.
Meaning: abrupt, brief, pointed, petulant (adj)
Which one should you use?
While corto describes something short in terms of length or duration, use basso to describe a person who is short in stature. If you want to describe something short in terms of duration or length in a more formal context, you might use breve or use ridotto to express that something is a reduced or shortened version.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective corto must agree in both gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use the feminine singular form corta, the masculine plural form corti and the feminine plural form corte.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈkor.to/.
Did you know?
- The Italian phrase essere corto di memoria describes a forgetful person by literally saying they are 'short of memory'.
- The word corto comes from the Latin curtus, which originates from the Proto-Indo-European root meaning to cut.
- In football commentary, corto and lungo form a strict binary used to describe the tactical philosophy of a team's passing game.
Examples in context
- Sono a corto di cibo.They are short of food.This sentence shows how to use corto to indicate a lack of food.Tatoeba #4721166 by Guybrush88, translation #306888 by CK
- Sono a corto di soldi.I am short of money.This sentence demonstrates the phrase a corto di when referring to money.Tatoeba #968042 by Guybrush88, translation #18613 by CK
- Sono a corto di fiato.I'm short of breath.This sentence illustrates the use of the phrase to describe being short of breath.Tatoeba #5553811 by Guybrush88, translation #3826028 by CK
- una versione ridotta di un libroA short version of a book
- una gonna mignonA short skirt
- Un vestito cortoA short dress
- Una pausa breveA short break
- Un racconto breveA short story
- Un messaggio breveA short message
- 47 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Francesco are discussing a tense phone call.
- MartinaPerché sei stato così corto con lui?Why were you so abrupt with him?
- FrancescoEro molto stanco e volevo chiudere la chiamata.I was very tired and wanted to end the call.
- MartinaSembravi quasi arrabbiato, eri troppo corto.You seemed almost angry, you were too pointed.
- FrancescoHai ragione, scusa se sono stato brusco.You're right, sorry if I was blunt.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry corto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries corto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
