cortar

Senses

1. 1.

   to cut

   to divide or sever with a sharp instrument

2. 2.

   to cut off

   to interrupt or disconnect (a call, relationship, supply)

3. 3.

   to stop; to cut short

   to end or halt an action or conversation abruptly

4. 4.

   to cut through

   to cross or traverse directly

Examples

• "Voy a cortar el pan con un cuchillo."

  I'm going to cut the bread with a knife.

• "Ella cortó la comunicación con su familia hace años."

  She cut off contact with her family years ago.

• "¿Podemos cortar la conversación? Tengo prisa."

  Can we cut this conversation short? I'm in a hurry.

Usage

Cortar is one of the most common verbs in Spanish. It combines literal (cutting with a knife) and figurative meanings (severing relationships, halting actions). Common collocations: cortar por lo sano 'to cut to the chase / make a clean break', cortarse 'to cut oneself / become shy'.