Corto vs Pequeño vs Bajo: Learn How to Say “Short” in Spanish

To become an expert in Spanish it’s important to master the differences between similar words, like corto vs pequeño vs bajo. These words can cause confusion for learners because they all mean little or short. In this article, we’ll explain the differences, show you when to use them, discuss regional differences, and offer tips for improving your Spanish vocabulary.

When to Use Corto in Spanish

The word corto translates to “short” in English, and can be used in a few different scenarios such as length and time. Let’s take a look at how you can start using these helpful words:

Corto: To Talk About the Length of Something

When discussing physical attributes, corto can describe a small distance from end to end, often in comparison to something considered standard or long. This can be an object, a piece of clothing, or even a part of the body. 

Examples:

• La mesa es corta en comparación con la mesa de conferencias. (The table is short compared to the conference table.)
• Sus piernas son cortas, pero es muy ágil. (Her legs are short, but she is very agile.)
• Compré un cable corto para conectar los dispositivos. (I bought a short cable to connect the devices.)
• La falda es corta, perfecta para el verano. (The skirt is short, perfect for summer.)
• Prefiero los platos con nombres cortos en el menú. (I prefer dishes with short names on the menu.)

Corto: To Talk About Duration (Length of Time)

Additionally, corto is used to indicate a short amount of time for an activity or situation, in which case it can be a synonym for brief. 

Examples:

• El discurso fue corto pero impactante. (The speech was short but impactful.)
• Vamos a tener un receso corto antes de continuar. (Let’s have a short break before we continue.)
• La reunión será corta, solo media hora. (The meeting will be short, only half an hour.)
• Hicieron una parada corta en el camino. (They made a short stop on the way.)
• La tormenta fue corta, pero intensa. (The storm was short but intense.)

When to Use Bajo in Spanish

The word bajo translates to “short” or “low” in English, depending on the context. As an adjective, it’s commonly used to describe the vertical length or stature of an object, person, or place. However, when we use it to describe someone, it characterizes short stature, as in “un hombre bajo” (a short man).

Similarly, this word is used for objects or structures that lack significant height, such as “arbusto bajo” (low bush) or “techo bajo” (low ceiling). It also refers to a position beneath or underneath, as seen in expressions like “bajo la silla” (under the chair) or “bajo el agua” (under/below the water).

Examples:

• Mi papá no es alto, más bien es bastante bajo. (My dad is not tall, rather he’s quite short.)
• El árbol es bajo pero muy frondoso. (The tree is short but very leafy.)
• Vivimos en una casa con techos bajos. (We live in a house with low ceilings.)
• Coloqué las llaves bajo la alfombra. (I placed the keys under the rug.)
• La ciudad está construida bajo el nivel del mar. (The city is built below sea level.)

When to Use Pequeño in Spanish

The word pequeño translates to “small” in English. As an adjective, it’s used to describe objects, individuals, or spaces that have small dimensions or a limited size. For example,  you can use it to say, “un perro pequeño” (a small dog) or “un coche pequeño” (a small car).

When referring to people, pequeño describes those who are not very tall or have a small body size, as in “una mujer pequeña” (small woman). It also works for describing small spaces or areas, as in “una habitación pequeña” (a small room) or “un pueblo pequeño” (a small town). Additionally, it is used to express youth or infancy, like “un niño pequeño” (a small child).

Examples:

• Tengo un jardín con flores pequeñas. (I have a garden with small flowers.)
• Mi hermana tiene un perro pequeño y juguetón. (My sister has a small and playful dog.)
• Vivimos en una casa con habitaciones pequeñas. (We live in a house with small rooms.)
• El pueblo en el que crecí es muy pequeño. (The town I grew up in is very small.)
• Esa niña es muy pequeña, pero muy valiente. (That girl is very young but very brave.)

Ways to Practice Spanish

Using different resources can help you understand the differences between these similar words. Spanish apps have interactive lessons you can use to study vocabulary for all topics. Online courses offer structured lessons and content for all levels of students. Spanish books have detailed explanations and practice exercises to help you learn interactively.

If you want to improve your Spanish even faster, try to practice speaking with and listening to native Spanish speakers. Immersing yourself in Spanish media, such as movies, YouTube channels, and podcasts, will also help you sound more natural when speaking the language. The combination of these resources ensures a comprehensive and effective approach to mastering Spanish.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the differences between corto, bajo, and pequeño in Spanish helps you express size, height, and smallness. Corto talks about something brief, bajo points out low height or position, and pequeño means smallness in size or even age. Whether describing physical attributes, spatial dimensions, or durations, these are common terms that allow you to create precise sentences. So, whether you want to describe someone or a small town, mastering the differences between corto, bajo, and pequeño is important to master the Spanish language.