acortar

Acortar is a Spanish verb meaning to shorten, reduce in length or duration, or to abridge or condense. It is used for physical dimensions, time, distance, or textual length. Examples include acortar una cuerda (shorten a rope), acortar el viaje (shorten the trip), or acortar un texto (condense a text).

Usage notes: acortar is transitive and requires a direct object. It often appears with phrases such as acortar distancias (to shorten distances), acortar el tiempo (to reduce travel time or duration), or acortar una prenda de vestir (to shorten a garment). In the context of writing, acortar a text means to make it shorter or more concise. The verb can also refer to altering physical measurements, such as clothing alterations.

Conjugation: acortar is a regular -ar verb, so its forms follow the standard pattern for this class. Present indicative: yo acorto, tú acortas, él acorta, nosotros acortamos, vosotros acortáis, ellos acortan. Preterite: yo acorté, tú acortaste, él acortó, nosotros acortamos, vosotros acortasteis, ellos acortaron. Imperfect: acortaba, acortabas, acortaba, acortábamos, acortabais, acortaban. Subjunctive present: acorte, acortes, acorte, acortemos, acortéis, acorten. Imperative: acorta (tú), acorte (usted), acortemos, acortad, acorten (ustedes).

Etymology and related terms: acortar derives from cortar (to cut) with the prefix a-, forming a sense of bringing something to a shorter state. Related verbs include abreviar and reducir, which convey similar ideas of shortening or reducing in different contexts.