The Present Tense of Cortar is used to describe actions happening right now or habitual actions, for example: Corto el papel para hacer un avión. (I cut the paper to make a paper airplane.)

Cortar is a regular -ar verb, so its conjugations in the present tense follow the typical pattern for this verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Cortar (to cut) in the Present Tense tense (Castilian Spanish):

Cortar generally means to cut or sever something, but has several different meanings in the Present Tense, some of which might surprise you.

To cut or sever: This is the most common meaning, referring to the act of cutting something with a sharp object or tool. For example, Yo corto el pan con un cuchillo (I cut the bread with a knife).

To interrupt: It can also mean to interrupt someone or something. For example, Ella corta mi conversación con una pregunta (She interrupts my conversation with a question).

To stop or end: In some contexts, it can mean to stop or end something abruptly. For example, Él corta la música cuando llega su madre (He stops the music when his mother arrives).

To edit or shorten: In the context of media or writing, it can mean to edit or shorten something. For example, El director corta algunas escenas de la película (The director cuts some scenes from the movie).

Slang: To break wind: In informal or vulgar speech, it can mean to break wind or pass gas. For example, ¡Qué asco! Alguien corta el queso aquí (How gross! Someone is breaking wind here).

Examples

Examples of Cortar in the Present Tense

Yo corto el césped todos los sábados. (I mow the lawn every Saturday.)

Mi hermana corta verduras para la ensalada. (My sister cuts vegetables for the salad.)

¿Tú cortas el cabello de tu hijo? (Do you cut your son’s hair?)

Nosotros cortamos las uñas de nuestro perro cada mes. (We trim our dog’s nails every month.)

Ellos cortan el papel para hacer manualidades. (They cut paper to make crafts.)

¿Ustedes cortan la fruta en rodajas o en cubos? (Do you cut the fruit into slices or cubes?)

El sastre corta la tela para hacer un traje a medida. (The tailor cuts the fabric to make a custom suit.)

Los jardineros cortan los arbustos para mantener el jardín ordenado. (The gardeners trim the bushes to keep the garden tidy.)

El peluquero corta el cabello con mucho cuidado. (The hairdresser cuts hair very carefully.)

Ustedes cortan las esquinas al conducir, ¿verdad? (You cut corners when driving, don’t you?)

El chef corta los ingredientes en juliana para la ensalada. (The chef cuts the ingredients into julienne strips for the salad.)

¿Tú cortas las uñas de tus pies regularmente? (Do you trim your toenails regularly?)

Ellos cortan la música a todo volumen, molestando a los vecinos. (They blast music loudly, annoying the neighbors.)

Nosotros cortamos el queso en rebanadas delgadas para los bocadillos. (We slice the cheese thinly for the sandwiches.)

Ella corta las puntas abiertas de su cabello cada dos meses. (She trims her split ends every two months.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Cortar (to cut) in the Present Tense tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Present tense is also known as the Simple Present, Present Simple, Present Tense, or Present Indicative in English, and as Presente de Indicativo, Presente Simple, Tiempo Presente, or Indicativo Presente in Spanish.