When talking about the length of an object, like a rope or a skirt, corto (short) is the word you'll use. Think of it as the opposite of largo (long).
It can also describe a short period of time, as in un corto tiempo (a short time).
Interestingly, corto can also refer to someone who is not very intelligent, but this is a more informal and less polite usage.
Finally, in some contexts, it can mean a 'short film' or 'short circuit'.
§ 'Corto' in Professional Settings
The word corto is very versatile. You'll hear it often in professional environments, whether you're talking about projects, deadlines, or even the length of a presentation.
- DEFINITION
- Short.
Tenemos un plazo muy corto para terminar el informe. (We have a very short deadline to finish the report.)
La reunión fue más corta de lo esperado. (The meeting was shorter than expected.)
§ 'Corto' in Educational Settings
In school or university, you'll hear corto when discussing assignments, class durations, or even the length of a school break. It's a fundamental word for describing time and physical length.
- DEFINITION
- Short.
El ensayo debe ser corto, no más de 500 palabras. (The essay should be short, no more than 500 words.)
La clase de hoy será más corta debido al evento. (Today's class will be shorter due to the event.)
§ 'Corto' in News and Media
When you're reading or watching the news in Spanish, corto will frequently appear to describe events, statements, or even economic forecasts.
- DEFINITION
- Short.
El presidente dio un discurso muy corto hoy. (The president gave a very short speech today.)
Se espera un período corto de crecimiento económico. (A short period of economic growth is expected.)
Here are some common ways you'll encounter 'corto' in different contexts:
- Length: describing the physical length of something.
- Time: referring to a brief duration.
- Distance: indicating a short distance, though 'cercano' or 'cerca' might be more common for literal proximity.
§ Understanding "Corto"
The Spanish word "corto" means "short" in English. It's an adjective, which means it describes a noun. Like many Spanish adjectives, it changes its ending to match the gender and number of the noun it describes. This is very important to remember if you want to sound natural.
- Gender and Number
- Corto: Masculine singular (e.g., el libro corto - the short book)
- Corta: Feminine singular (e.g., la falda corta - the short skirt)
- Cortos: Masculine plural (e.g., los pantalones cortos - the short pants)
- Cortas: Feminine plural (e.g., las vacaciones cortas - the short vacation)
§ Common Uses of "Corto"
"Corto" is used for physical length, duration, and even metaphorical 'shortness'.
- Physical Length
- This is its most straightforward use. Think of things that are not long.
Mi pelo es corto ahora. (My hair is short now.)
Quiero una falda corta. (I want a short skirt.)
- Duration of Time
- You can use "corto" to describe periods of time that are not long.
La reunión fue muy corta. (The meeting was very short.)
Tenemos poco tiempo, el plazo es corto. (We have little time, the deadline is short.)
- Figurative Use
- Sometimes it's used in expressions or to describe a deficiency.
Ser corto de vista. (To be short-sighted.)
§ "Corto" vs. "Bajo" (Short vs. Low/Short in Height)
This is where learners often get confused. Both can mean "short," but they are used in different contexts.
- When to use "Corto"
- Use "corto" for length (like a short rope, a short story, short hair, or short duration).
El camino es corto. (The path is short.)
Es un cuento corto. (It's a short story.)
- When to use "Bajo"
- Use "bajo" for height. When you're talking about a person being short, or a building being low/short in height.
Mi hermano es bajo. (My brother is short.)
El techo es muy bajo. (The ceiling is very low/short.)
§ Other Related Words
While "corto" and "bajo" cover most cases, here are a couple of other words that relate to 'shortness' in different ways.
- Poco
- Means "little" or "few." It's about quantity or amount, not necessarily physical length or height.
Tengo poco dinero. (I have little money.)
Hay pocas sillas. (There are few chairs.)
- Breve
- Also means "brief" or "short," but it's almost exclusively used for time or discourse (like a brief explanation, a brief moment).
Haz un resumen breve. (Make a brief summary.)
Fue un momento breve. (It was a brief moment.)
Understanding these distinctions will greatly improve your Spanish. Practice using "corto" in different sentences and try to spot when native speakers use it versus "bajo" or "breve."
文法パターン
文型パターン
Ser + [sustantivo masculino singular] + corto.
El pelo es corto. (The hair is short.)
Ser + [sustantivo femenino singular] + corta.
La falda es corta. (The skirt is short.)
Ser + [sustantivo masculino plural] + cortos.
Los pantalones son cortos. (The pants are short.)
Ser + [sustantivo femenino plural] + cortas.
Las mangas son cortas. (The sleeves are short.)
Tener + [sustantivo masculino singular] + corto.
Tengo el pelo corto. (I have short hair.)
Tener + [sustantivo femenino singular] + corta.
Ella tiene la uña corta. (She has a short nail.)
Tener + [sustantivo masculino plural] + cortos.
Él tiene los dedos cortos. (He has short fingers.)
Tener + [sustantivo femenino plural] + cortas.
Tenemos las piernas cortas. (We have short legs.)
ヒント
Masculine and Feminine Forms
Remember that 'corto' is an adjective, so it needs to agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. The masculine singular form is corto, and the feminine singular form is corta.
Plural Forms
To make 'corto' plural, add an '-s'. So, masculine plural is cortos and feminine plural is cortas.
Common Usage: Length
'Corto' is frequently used to describe physical length, like 'a short skirt' (una falda corta) or 'a short hair' (pelo corto).
Common Usage: Time
You can also use 'corto' to describe a short period of time. For example, 'a short time' (un tiempo corto).
Opposite: Largo
The opposite of 'corto' (short) is 'largo' (long). It's helpful to learn these pairs together.
Don't confuse with 'pequeño'
While 'pequeño' also means small, 'corto' specifically refers to length. 'Pequeño' refers to size in general.
Sentence Example 1
El camino es corto. (The road is short.)
Sentence Example 2
Ella tiene el pelo corta. (She has short hair.)
Sentence Example 3
Necesitamos un descanso corto. (We need a short break.)
Practice with Objects
Look around you and describe objects using 'corto' or 'corta'. For example, 'un lápiz corto' (a short pencil) or 'una camisa corta' (a short shirt).
自分をテスト 12 問
Choose the correct translation for 'short' when describing a man.
'Corto' is masculine singular, agreeing with 'man'.
Which word means 'short' (feminine singular)?
'Corta' is feminine singular. For example, 'una falda corta' (a short skirt).
If you want to say 'short (plural, masculine) pants', which word would you use?
'Cortos' is masculine plural, agreeing with 'pantalones' (pants).
The word 'corto' can describe a short story.
Yes, 'un cuento corto' means 'a short story'.
If you describe a short woman, you would say 'una mujer corto'.
No, it should be 'una mujer corta' because 'mujer' is feminine.
The word 'corto' only refers to physical length, not time.
No, it can also refer to a short period of time, like 'un tiempo corto' (a short time).
El sendero al mirador es bastante ___, así que no te cansarás mucho.
The sentence indicates that one won't get tired much, implying the path is not long. 'Corto' means short.
Necesito un cable más ___ para conectar el ordenador a la pantalla.
If a cable is needed to connect something, it implies the current one is too short. Thus, a 'largo' (long) cable is needed.
Después de un ___ período de lluvia, salió el sol.
'Breve' is a synonym for 'corto' when referring to a period of time, meaning short.
La novela era tan interesante que se me hizo muy ___ el tiempo leyéndola.
When something is enjoyable, time seems to pass quickly, making the period feel 'corto' (short).
Mi pelo es ___ ahora, pero quiero dejarlo crecer.
If someone wants to let their hair grow, it implies their hair is currently 'corto' (short).
Para la presentación, necesito un resumen ___ y conciso.
A summary that is 'conciso' (concise) also implies it should be 'corto' (short).
/ 12 correct
Perfect score!
Masculine and Feminine Forms
Remember that 'corto' is an adjective, so it needs to agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. The masculine singular form is corto, and the feminine singular form is corta.
Plural Forms
To make 'corto' plural, add an '-s'. So, masculine plural is cortos and feminine plural is cortas.
Common Usage: Length
'Corto' is frequently used to describe physical length, like 'a short skirt' (una falda corta) or 'a short hair' (pelo corto).
Common Usage: Time
You can also use 'corto' to describe a short period of time. For example, 'a short time' (un tiempo corto).
例文
El camino es bastante corto.
関連コンテンツ
関連フレーズ
generalの関連語
a causa de
A2For the reason of; owing to.
a condición de que
B2On condition that, provided that, or given that.
a dónde
A1To what place or destination?
a lo mejor
A2Maybe; perhaps.
a menos que
B1Unless.
a no ser que
B2Unless; should it not be that.
a pesar de
B1In spite of; despite.
a_pesar_de
B2In spite of; notwithstanding; despite.
a propósito
B2By the way, on purpose; incidentally; or intentionally.
a raíz de
B2As a result of; following directly from.
