curto
/ˈkuʁ.tu/
The English word "short" is translated into Portuguese as curto.
curto is used to describe physical length or a duration of time. It can also be used to describe a person's manner of speaking or a response to imply that the tone was abrupt or curt.
Meaning: abrupt, brief, pointed, petulant (adj)
Which one should you use?
Use curto to describe physical length or duration of time, whereas baixo is used to describe a person's height.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, using a feminine ending for feminine nouns. The adjective must agree in number with the noun it modifies, using a masculine plural ending for masculine plural nouns and a feminine plural ending for feminine plural nouns. You use curta for feminine singular nouns, curtos for masculine plural nouns and curtas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and the stress is on the first syllable: /ˈkuʁ.tu/.
Did you know?
- In a colloquial sense, dar um corte (to give a cut) is related to curto and means to abruptly shut someone down or reject them in a conversation.
- In certain contexts, calling someone's temper curto suggests they are easily annoyed or have a 'short fuse'.
- When describing a 'short' film, Portuguese uses curta-metragem, often shortened to just uma curta in casual conversation.
Examples in context
- Isto é muito curto.This is too short.This sentence shows how to use curto to describe something being too short.Tatoeba #1189997 by alexmarcelo, translation #55511 by CK
- O lápis ficou curto.The pencil has become short.This sentence uses curto to describe a pencil that has become short.Tatoeba #11034630 by carlosalberto, translation #10714872 by terrywallwork
- Tom tem cabelo curto.Tom has short hair.This sentence uses curto to describe short hair.Tatoeba #1298392 by alexmarcelo, translation #1025311 by CK
- Eu tenho cabelo curtoI have short hair
- Ele é um homem pequenoHe is a short man
- Ela é baixinhaShe is short (in height)
- 55 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Felipe are discussing a meeting that ended too quickly.
- MarianaO discurso foi muito curto.The speech was very short.
- FelipeSim, ele foi bem curto.Yes, it was quite short.
- MarianaPareceu um pouco abrupto.It seemed a bit abrupt.
- FelipeEu concordo com você.I agree with you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry curto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
