The Spanish word 'cortito' meaning 'very short' comes from combining the Spanish adjective 'corto' (meaning 'short') with the diminutive suffix '-ito'. The base word 'corto' itself derives from the Latin word 'curtus', which meant 'short' or 'cut'. The diminutive suffix '-ito' adds the sense of smallness or endearment, making 'cortito' mean literally 'a little short' or 'very short'.

The simpler and more common Spanish word 'corto' is directly related to 'cortito', as it is the base word from which 'cortito' is formed. While 'corto' means simply 'short', adding the diminutive suffix '-ito' intensifies the meaning to 'very short' or adds an affectionate nuance to the description.

The English word 'curt', meaning 'brief, abrupt, or terse', shares the same Latin ancestor 'curtus' with the Spanish 'cortito'. Both words retained the basic concept of shortness, though 'curt' developed a more specific meaning related to brevity in speech or manner. Another related English word is 'curtail', which means 'to cut short or reduce', also reflecting the original Latin meaning of 'cut' or 'short'.