Portuguese Phrase
A ligação está cortando.
Meaning
Literally, 'The connection is cutting.' It is used to say that a phone call, video call, or internet connection is dropping intermittently or becoming unintelligible.
When to use
Use this phrase when you notice that the audio on a call is breaking up, the video freezes, or the internet seems unstable. It works for both mobile and land‑line conversations, as well as for Wi‑Fi or data connections.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Aligaçãoestácortando
Definite article (A)
The feminine singular article 'a' agrees with the noun 'ligação', which is feminine.
Noun (ligação)
Ligação means 'connection' or 'call' and is a feminine noun.
Verb estar (está)
Estar is used for temporary states; here it introduces the progressive form.
Gerund (cortando)
Cortando is the gerund of cortar, indicating an ongoing action – the connection is cutting out.
🗨In Conversation
A ligação está cortando.
The call is cutting out.
Desculpe, acho que o sinal está fraco aqui.
Sorry, I think the signal is weak here.
✕Common Mistakes
A ligação é cortando.
Use 'está' (temporary state) not 'é' (permanent characteristic).
A ligação está cortado.
The gerund 'cortando' describes an ongoing problem; 'cortado' would mean the connection is already cut.
Ligação está cortando a.
Word order matters; the article must stay before the noun.
↔Alternatives
A conexão está falhando.
The connection is failing.
A chamada está caindo.
The call is dropping.
O sinal está ruim.
The signal is bad.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil people often use the verb 'cortar' for any kind of signal loss, even for video streams. It’s polite to pair the complaint with a brief apology (e.g., 'Desculpe, a ligação está cortando') because it shows you’re aware the other person may also be struggling to hear you.