Baixo versus curto

Portuguese Questions Vocabulary
1

what is the diffference between baixo and curto?

I searched google and it sounded familiar, but wanted to double check.

In European Portuguese, the primary difference between baixo and curto is that baixo refers to vertical height or a low position, while curto refers to horizontal length or duration. Both can translate to “short” in English, but they are not interchangeable. [1, 2, 3]

2

@chokers_gossips6h, that simple explanation is fine :slight_smile: Baixo can mean short or low and we’d use it in cases like this:

  • Ele é um homem baixo. (He is a short man)
  • Este teto é baixo. (This ceiling is low)
  • Quero comprar uma mesa baixa [mesa de centro]. (I want to buy a low table [coffee table])

Curto only means short, in reference to length or duration.

  • Este cabo é muito curto. (This cable is very short)
  • O concerto foi curto. (The concert was short)
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