vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Long" is a form of "long", an adjective which is often translated as "largo". "Short" is an adjective which is often translated as "corto". Learn more about the difference between "long" and "short" below.
long(
lang
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. largo
We have a long way to go before we get home.Tenemos un camino largo por delante para llegar a casa.
b. de largo
The landing strip is a mile long.La pista de aterrizaje mide una milla de largo.
c. alargado
The coati is a small raccoon-like mammal with a long snout.El coatí es un pequeño mamífero parecido al mapache y con un hocico alargado.
a. largo
The talk was so long that I fell asleep.La charla fue tan larga que me quedé dormido.
b. prolongado
A trip to the sea helped her recover from her long illness.Un viaje al mar la ayudó a recuperarse de su prolongada enfermedad.
c. alargado
The national park is expected to be closed for a long period of time.Se espera que el parque nacional esté cerrado por un periodo alargado de tiempo.
d.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
The flight is three hours long.Es un vuelo de tres horas.
Tomorrow's test is five hours long.El examen de mañana dura cinco horas.
a. largo
The vowel in the word "boot" is a long vowel.La vocal en la palabra "boot" es una vocal larga.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a. mucho
Are you going to take long?¿Vas a tardar mucho?
b. mucho tiempo
I don't plan to stay long.No pienso quedarme mucho tiempo.
c. todo
We stayed up and danced all night long.Nos desvelamos y bailamos toda la noche.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. anhelar
I long for the day when no one has a hidden agenda.Anhelo el día en que nadie tenga intenciones ocultas.
b. desear
I long to be back in your arms.Deseo estar de nuevo en tus brazos.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
short(
short
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. corto
I think these pants are too short.Creo que este pantalón es demasiado corto.
a. bajo
He was short for his age.Era bajo para su edad.
b. chaparro
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
(Central America)
Regionalism used in Mexico
(Mexico)
Hey, ask that short kid if he wants to play with us.Oye, pregúntale a ese chavo chaparro si quiere jugar con nosotros.
c. petiso
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
(South America)
She's short, but fierce.Es petisa, pero feroz.
a. corto
We had a short class today because the teacher was sick.Tuvimos una clase corta hoy porque la maestra estaba enferma.
b. breve
I want to show you a short documentary on whales.Les quiero mostrar un breve documental sobre las ballenas.
a. corto
It was a short journey to the hospital.Era un trayecto corto al hospital.
a. escaso
Most of the companies are short of material.Muchas de las compañías andan escasas de material.
a. seco
I'm sorry I was short with him.Siento haber sido seco con él.
b. brusco
Your answer was a bit short.Tu respuesta fue un poco brusca.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a. en seco
The judge stopped her short with a question.El juez la paró en seco con una pregunta.
a. corto
I was running short of materials.Me estaba quedando corto de materiales.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
noun
a. el cortocircuito
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
The sewing machine caused a short.La máquina de coser provocó un cortocircuito.
10. (film)
a. el cortometraje
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
Our last short was awarded Best Picture.Nuestro último cortometraje fue galardonado Mejor Película.
11. (beverage)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
a. la copita
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
He said he drank three shorts at the pub yesterday.Dijo que se tomó tres copitas ayer en el bar.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. devolver de menos
They shorted me at the butcher's again.Otra vez me devolvieron de menos en la carnicería.
shorts
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
plural noun
a. el short
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
It's hot; I'm going to put on some shorts.Hace calor; me voy a poner un short.
b. los shorts
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
Those shorts you're wearing show too much leg.Esos shorts que llevas puestos enseñan demasiada pierna.
c. los pantalones cortos
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
I bought a pair of shorts for my trip to the beach.Me compré unos pantalones cortos para mi viaje a la playa.
d. el chor
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
(Caribbean)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
(Central America)
Regionalism used in Venezuela
(Venezuela)
I always wear shorts in the summer.En verano siempre llevo un chor.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.