Corta is primarily a verb (present form of "cortar") and can also function as an adjective in certain contexts.
/ˈkoɾ.ta/
Corta as a verb relates to the action of cutting or severing something, whether physically, as in cutting a piece of paper, or metaphorically, as in cutting off a conversation. As an adjective, it denotes something that is not long in measurement or duration.
Frequency of Use: "Corta" is commonly used in both oral and written Spanish, but it might appear slightly more in spoken language for everyday contexts.
Corta la fruta en trozos pequeños.
"Cut the fruit into small pieces."
Esa falda es muy corta para mí.
"That skirt is too short for me."
Necesitamos una explicación más corta y directa.
"We need a shorter and more direct explanation."
While "corta" itself may not be used in many idiomatic expressions, the verb "cortar" can lead to several common phrases:
Cortar por lo sano: "To cut to the chase" or "to cut it short."
Example: Es mejor cortar por lo sano y hablar de lo que realmente importa.
"It's better to cut to the chase and talk about what really matters."
Cortar la cuerda: "To cut the cord," meaning to become independent or break ties.
Example: Ella decidió cortar la cuerda y mudarse a otra ciudad.
"She decided to cut the cord and move to another city."
Cortar a la mitad: "To cut in half."
Example: Si queremos compartir, deberías cortar a la mitad la tarta.
"If we want to share, you should cut the cake in half."
The word “cortar” comes from the Latin “cortāre,” which is a derivative of “cortīca,” meaning to cut or sever. Over time, the word evolved to its current forms in Spanish, retaining its meanings related to cutting and shortening.
Synonyms: - Verb: "seccionar" (to section), "dividir" (to divide). - Adjective: "breve" (brief), "conciso" (concise).
Antonyms: - Verb: "unir" (to unite), "juntar" (to join). - Adjective: "largo" (long), "amplio" (wide).