pantalón corto
/pantalon koɾto/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English word 'shorts' can be translated into Spanish as pantalón corto. Wiktionary also lists pantaloneta and short.
Meaning: leg garment (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pantalón corto | /pantalon koɾto/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| pantaloneta | /pantaloˈneta/ | feminine |
| short | /ˈʃoɾt/ | masculine |
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pantalón corto is a literal combination of pantalón (pants) and corto (short).
Which one should you use?
Pantalón corto is a general term for any short trousers. In contrast, pantaloneta is typically used to refer specifically to athletic or sports shorts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some South American countries, particularly Colombia and Venezuela, pantalonetas is used to refer to shorts.
How does it change in a sentence?
While the singular pantalón corto is common, you can also use the plural form pantalones cortos to refer to the garment.
Did you know?
- The word pantalón traces its origins back to the character Pantalone from Italian theatre, a Venetian merchant known for his distinctive long trousers.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, wearing pantalones cortos in formal settings or certain churches can be considered disrespectful, regardless of the style.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, you might hear people use the English word 'short' directly, spelled exactly like the English version.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿dónde puedo encontrar pantalones cortos?Hello, where can I find shorts?
- ¿Tienes bermudas en otros colores?Do you have shorts in other colors?
- ¿Dónde compraste esos shorts tan geniales?Where did you buy those cool shorts?
- Voy a la playa y necesito comprar nuevas pantalonetas.I'm going to the beach and need to buy new shorts.
- Necesito comprar un pantalón corto nuevo.I need to buy a new pair of shorts.
- El pantalón corto azul es de mi hermano.The blue shorts belong to my brother.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are packing for a beach trip.
- ElenaJavier, ¿empaqué tu pantalón corto?Javier, did I pack your shorts?
- JavierNo, todavía están en la lavandería.No, they are still in the laundry.
- ElenaBusca el pantalón corto ahora mismo.Look for the shorts right now.
- JavierEstá bien, los busco ya.Okay, I'll look for them now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shorts” translations and entries pantalón corto, pantaloneta, short, 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 corto, pantaloneta, pantalón, short, CC BY-SA 4.0.
