corto 30秒了解
- Corto means short in length or time.
- It changes to corta, cortos, or cortas based on the noun.
- Do not use it for a person's height (use 'bajo' instead).
- Commonly used in 'a corto plazo' (short term) and 'quedarse corto' (to fall short).
The Spanish adjective corto is a fundamental building block of the language, primarily used to describe something that lacks length or duration. At its core, it is the direct equivalent of the English word 'short'. However, its application spans across physical dimensions, temporal spans, and even metaphorical deficiencies. Understanding 'corto' requires a grasp of its gender and number agreement, as it must align with the noun it modifies: corto, corta, cortos, cortas.
- Physical Dimension
- Used for objects like hair, clothes, or distances. Example: 'pelo corto'.
- Temporal Duration
- Used for events, movies, or periods of time. Example: 'una visita corta'.
- Quantity/Deficiency
- Used when something is insufficient. Example: 'quedarse corto de dinero'.
"Este camino es más corto para llegar al centro de la ciudad."
In a physical sense, 'corto' describes the linear extent of an object. If you are buying trousers and they don't reach your ankles, they are 'pantalones cortos'. If a bridge is not long, it is a 'puente corto'. It is crucial to distinguish this from 'bajo', which refers to the height of a person or a building. You would never call a person 'corto' to mean they are short in stature; that would imply they are unintelligent or shy, depending on the context.
"La película fue muy corta, solo duró ochenta minutos."
When discussing time, 'corto' is the go-to adjective for brevity. A 'corto plazo' refers to the short term, a concept vital in business and planning. A 'respiro corto' is a short breath. The word also appears in technical contexts, such as 'cortocircuito' (short circuit), where the physical and functional meanings merge. In social contexts, being 'corto' can mean being shy or reserved, often phrased as 'ser corto de palabras'.
"Me quedé corto con la sal en la sopa."
- Etymology
- Derived from the Latin 'curtus', meaning mutilated or shortened.
- Social Nuance
- 'Quedarse corto' is a common idiom meaning to underestimate or fall short.
"El cable es demasiado corto para llegar al enchufe."
Using 'corto' correctly involves mastering three main areas: grammatical agreement, position within the sentence, and the specific nuance of the context. As an adjective, it must match the noun in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural). This is the most common area for errors among beginners.
- Masculine Singular: El tiempo es corto.
- Feminine Singular: La distancia es corta.
- Masculine Plural: Los días son cortos.
- Feminine Plural: Las mangas son cortas.
In terms of position, 'corto' usually follows the noun it describes, which is the standard rule for descriptive adjectives in Spanish (e.g., 'un camino corto'). However, placing it before the noun ('un corto camino') can add a literary or poetic emphasis, though this is less common in everyday speech. When used with the verb 'ser', it describes an inherent quality ('El invierno es corto'), whereas with 'quedarse', it describes a state of being insufficient ('Me he quedado corto de pan').
"Tengo el pelo corto desde el verano pasado."
One of the most versatile uses of 'corto' is in the phrase 'a corto plazo' (in the short term). This is used in financial, political, and personal planning. Contrast this with 'a largo plazo' (in the long term). Another important usage is 'quedarse corto', which translates to 'to fall short' or 'to underestimate'. For example, if you cook for five people but ten show up, 'te has quedado corto con la comida'.
You will encounter 'corto' in a variety of everyday settings, from the hair salon to the cinema. In a 'peluquería' (hair salon), the stylist might ask, '¿Lo quiere muy corto?' (Do you want it very short?). In the world of film, 'un cortometraje' (or simply 'un corto') refers to a short film, a popular medium for emerging directors.
In the kitchen, recipes might call for 'fuego corto' or 'cocción corta'. In sports, a 'pase corto' (short pass) is a fundamental technique in football (soccer). If you are traveling, you might hear about a 'trayecto corto' (short journey) or a 'vuelo de corto alcance' (short-haul flight).
"¿Has visto el último corto de Almodóvar?"
In technical or electrical contexts, 'corto' is shorthand for 'cortocircuito'. If the lights go out suddenly, someone might shout, '¡Ha habido un corto!'. In social settings, especially in Spain, 'un corto de cerveza' is a specific size of beer, usually around 100-150ml, perfect for a quick stop at a bar. Finally, in news and economics, 'a corto plazo' is a constant refrain when discussing market trends or government policies.
The most frequent mistake learners make is using 'corto' to describe a person's height. In English, we say 'he is short', but in Spanish, you must say 'él es bajo'. Saying 'él es corto' can be interpreted as 'he is dim-witted' or 'he is shy', depending on the region and context. This is a classic 'false friend' trap for English speakers.
Another mistake is failing to adjust for gender. Because 'corto' ends in 'o', it is a four-form adjective. Beginners often forget to change it to 'corta' for feminine nouns. For example, 'la película es corto' is incorrect; it must be 'la película es corta'.
Incorrect: "Mi hermano es corto." (Meaning height)
Correct: "Mi hermano es bajo."
Confusion also arises between 'corto' and 'breve'. While often interchangeable when referring to time, 'breve' is more formal and specifically refers to duration or conciseness in speech/writing. 'Corto' is more common for physical length. Using 'corto' for a speech might sound slightly informal compared to 'breve'. Lastly, avoid using 'corto' when you mean 'poco' (little/few). 'Tengo corto tiempo' is awkward; 'Tengo poco tiempo' is correct.
To enrich your vocabulary, it's helpful to look at words related to 'corto'. The most direct synonym for duration is breve. While 'corto' can be physical or temporal, 'breve' is almost exclusively temporal or related to communication (e.g., 'una breve explicación').
Escaso is another related word, meaning 'scarce' or 'short of'. If you are 'corto de dinero', you could also say you have 'escasos recursos'. Pequeño means 'small' and is often confused with 'corto', but 'pequeño' refers to overall size/volume, while 'corto' refers specifically to length.
- Bajo
- Short in height (for people/buildings).
- Sucinto
- Succinct or brief (formal).
- Efímero
- Ephemeral or very short-lived.
In the context of clothing, mini (as in minifalda) is a specific type of 'corto'. In terms of distance, cercano (near) is related because a 'camino corto' usually leads to something 'cercano'. Understanding these nuances helps you choose the precise word for the situation, moving beyond basic A1 Spanish into more sophisticated expression.
How Formal Is It?
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难度评级
需要掌握的语法
按水平分级的例句
Yo tengo el pelo corto.
I have short hair.
Adjective 'corto' follows the noun 'pelo'.
La falda es muy corta.
The skirt is very short.
Feminine singular agreement: 'corta'.
Es un camino corto.
It is a short path.
Masculine singular agreement: 'corto'.
Los pantalones son cortos.
The pants are short.
Masculine plural agreement: 'cortos'.
La película es corta.
The movie is short.
Feminine singular agreement.
Tengo un lápiz corto.
I have a short pencil.
Standard adjective placement.
Las clases son cortas.
The classes are short.
Feminine plural agreement.
Este libro es corto.
This book is short.
Masculine singular agreement.
Toma el camino más corto.
Take the shortest path.
Superlative construction 'el más corto'.
Necesito un cable más corto.
I need a shorter cable.
Comparative use with 'más'.
Ella es baja, no corta.
She is short (height), not 'corto'.
Distinction between 'bajo' and 'corto'.
El invierno es corto aquí.
Winter is short here.
Temporal use of 'corto'.
Me gustan los cuentos cortos.
I like short stories.
Plural agreement.
La reunión fue muy corta.
The meeting was very short.
Feminine singular.
Llevo calcetines cortos.
I am wearing short socks.
Masculine plural.
Es un viaje corto en tren.
It's a short train trip.
Masculine singular.
Me he quedado corto de dinero.
I've run short of money.
Idiom 'quedarse corto de'.
Es un hombre corto de palabras.
He is a man of few words.
Describing personality/style.
Hubo un corto en la cocina.
There was a short circuit in the kitchen.
Noun use of 'corto' for 'cortocircuito'.
El director presentó su nuevo corto.
The director presented his new short film.
Noun use for 'cortometraje'.
Juan es un poco corto.
Juan is a bit slow (unintelligent).
Colloquial use for lack of intelligence.
Estamos cortos de personal hoy.
We are short-staffed today.
Describing deficiency.
La explicación se quedó corta.
The explanation fell short.
Metaphorical use.
Es un plan a corto plazo.
It's a short-term plan.
Fixed phrase 'a corto plazo'.
Sus argumentos son cortos de miras.
His arguments are short-sighted.
Idiom 'corto de miras'.
El presupuesto se queda corto para el proyecto.
The budget falls short for the project.
Verb 'quedarse' + 'corto'.
A corto plazo, la medida funcionará.
In the short term, the measure will work.
Adverbial phrase.
Es una persona corta y tímida.
He/she is a shy and reserved person.
Describing character.
La tela es corta para el vestido.
The fabric is too short for the dress.
Physical deficiency.
Hicieron un corto receso.
They took a short break.
Adjective before the noun for emphasis.
El texto es corto pero sustancioso.
The text is short but substantial.
Contrastive usage.
Se quedó corto en sus elogios.
He was too brief in his praise.
Abstract deficiency.
Cualquier descripción se quedaría corta ante tal belleza.
Any description would fall short of such beauty.
Conditional usage for rhetorical effect.
Es un análisis corto de entendederas.
It's a dim-witted analysis.
Fixed expression 'corto de entendederas'.
La empresa sufre de falta de liquidez a corto plazo.
The company suffers from a lack of short-term liquidity.
Technical financial context.
El autor emplea frases cortas y directas.
The author uses short and direct sentences.
Stylistic description.
Fue un amor corto pero intenso.
It was a short but intense love.
Describing life experiences.
El sistema sufrió un corto fortuito.
The system suffered an accidental short circuit.
Technical/Formal noun use.
No seas corto, ¡atrévete a hablar!
Don't be shy, dare to speak!
Imperative context with 'ser corto'.
La paciencia de los ciudadanos es corta.
The citizens' patience is short.
Metaphorical use for abstract concepts.
Su gestión pecó de ser excesivamente corta de miras.
His management suffered from being excessively short-sighted.
High-level critique using 'pecar de'.
La brevedad del discurso no lo hizo menos corto de contenido.
The brevity of the speech didn't make it any less lacking in content.
Nuanced play on 'brevedad' and 'corto'.
Se dice que es corto de luces.
It is said that he is not very bright.
Idiomatic expression 'corto de luces'.
La vida es demasiado corta para aprender alemán.
Life is too short to learn German (humorous quote).
Philosophical/Humorous usage.
El corto metraje de la cinta impidió su desarrollo narrativo.
The short length of the film hindered its narrative development.
Formal academic critique.
Quedarse corto es un eufemismo para su fracaso.
Falling short is a euphemism for his failure.
Meta-linguistic analysis.
La distancia, por corta que sea, nos separa.
The distance, however short it may be, separates us.
Concessive clause 'por... que sea'.
El suministro se vio interrumpido por un corto circuito masivo.
The supply was interrupted by a massive short circuit.
Formal passive voice with technical term.
常见搭配
常用短语
a corto plazo
quedarse corto
pantalones cortos
corto de vista
corto de dinero
en corto
corto y cambio
corto de entendederas
corto de luces
corto de palabras
容易混淆的词
习语与表达
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容易混淆
句型
如何使用
In some regions, 'corto' can be used more frequently for 'shy'.
Corto vs Bajo is the most important distinction for learners.
- Using 'corto' for height (should be 'bajo').
- Forgetting gender agreement (e.g., 'la falda corto').
- Confusing 'corto' with 'poco'.
- Using 'corto' for 'small' (should be 'pequeño').
- Misusing 'quedarse corto' in formal writing.
小贴士
Agreement
Always match 'corto' with the noun. 'La mesa es corta' (The table is short).
Height
Never use 'corto' for a person's height. Use 'bajo' instead.
Falling Short
Use 'quedarse corto' when you don't have enough of something.
Ordering Beer
In Spain, try ordering 'un corto' if you want a small beer.
Short Term
Use 'a corto plazo' for business goals or financial plans.
Brevity
Use 'breve' for speeches and 'corto' for physical objects.
Electricity
'Un corto' is a common way to say 'short circuit'.
Shyness
'Ser corto' can mean someone is shy or reserved.
Antonym
The opposite of 'corto' is 'largo' (long).
The R
The 'r' in 'corto' is a single tap, not a long trill.
记住它
记忆技巧
Think of a 'court' (like a tennis court). If you cut it in half, it's 'corto'.
词源
Latin
文化背景
A 'corto' is a small beer in Leon and other regions.
Short films are called 'cortos' universally.
Being 'corto' can be a gentle way to say someone is shy.
在生活中练习
真实语境
对话开场白
"¿Prefieres el pelo largo o corto?"
"¿Cuál es el camino más corto a tu casa?"
"¿Te gustan los pantalones cortos?"
"¿Has visto algún corto interesante últimamente?"
"¿Crees que la vida es corta?"
日记主题
Describe un viaje corto que hiciste.
Escribe sobre una película que fue demasiado corta.
¿Qué planes tienes a corto plazo?
Describe tu ropa favorita (usa 'corto/a').
¿Alguna vez te has quedado corto de dinero?
常见问题
10 个问题Only if you mean he is shy or not very smart. If you mean he is not tall, say 'Mi amigo es bajo'.
It is a short film, often just called 'un corto'.
Yes, you can say 'una clase corta' or 'un tiempo corto'.
It means to fall short or underestimate something.
You say 'a corto plazo'.
Yes, it becomes 'corta'.
In some parts of Spain, it is a small glass of beer.
Yes, it is common to say 'hubo un corto'.
Not necessarily; 'breve' is just more formal and used for time/communication.
You say 'pantalones cortos'.
自我测试 180 个问题
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'corto' is a versatile adjective in Spanish primarily used for physical length and time duration. Its most important rule for English speakers is to avoid using it for human height, where 'bajo' is the correct term.
- Corto means short in length or time.
- It changes to corta, cortos, or cortas based on the noun.
- Do not use it for a person's height (use 'bajo' instead).
- Commonly used in 'a corto plazo' (short term) and 'quedarse corto' (to fall short).
Agreement
Always match 'corto' with the noun. 'La mesa es corta' (The table is short).
Height
Never use 'corto' for a person's height. Use 'bajo' instead.
Falling Short
Use 'quedarse corto' when you don't have enough of something.
Ordering Beer
In Spain, try ordering 'un corto' if you want a small beer.
例句
El camino es bastante corto.
相关内容
更多general词汇
a causa de
A2意思是“因为”或“由于”。它后面接名词，用来解释原因。
a condición de que
B2On condition that, provided that, or given that.
a dónde
A1To what place or destination?
a lo mejor
A2也许，可能。'a lo mejor' 在西班牙语口语中非常常用。
a menos que
B1除非. 除非他来，否则我不会去。 (I won't go unless he comes.)
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.
