Portuguese Phrase
Tá cortando um pouco.
Meaning
Literally, ‘It’s cutting a little.’ In everyday conversation it’s used to say that something (usually audio, video, a broadcast, or a signal) is briefly cutting out, stuttering, or losing quality.
When to use
Use this phrase when you notice a slight interruption in a live stream, a video call, a song, or any media that seems to be skipping or dropping bits. It’s informal, so it fits casual chats with friends or colleagues.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tácortandoumpouco
Tá (está)
‘Tá’ is the colloquial contraction of the verb ‘estar’ in the third‑person singular present, used in informal spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
Gerúndio – cortando
‘Cortando’ is the gerund form of the verb ‘cortar’, indicating an ongoing action (the cutting is happening right now).
Quantificador – um pouco
‘Um pouco’ means ‘a little’ or ‘some’, used to qualify the intensity or amount of the action.
🗨In Conversation
Tá cortando um pouco o áudio da reunião?
Is the meeting audio cutting out a little?
Sim, parece que a conexão está fraca.
Yes, it looks like the connection is weak.
✕Common Mistakes
Tá cortado um pouco.
‘Cortado’ is the past participle and would change the meaning to ‘cut’ rather than ‘cutting’. Use the gerund ‘cortando’ for an ongoing issue.
Está cortando um pouco.
While grammatically correct, using the full form ‘está’ in a very casual chat can sound stiff. Choose ‘tá’ for natural spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
Tá cortando poucos.
‘Pouco’ must stay singular; ‘poucos’ would incorrectly suggest a plural noun.
↔Alternatives
Está cortando um pouco.
It is cutting a little.
Está falhando um pouco.
It’s failing a little.
A transmissão está com interrupções.
The broadcast has interruptions.
Cultural Tip
‘Tá’ is strictly informal; avoid it in formal writing, presentations, or when speaking to authority figures. In those contexts, use the full form ‘está’. Also, Brazilians often use this expression when talking about internet or TV problems, reflecting the country’s high reliance on streaming services.