to shorten / reduce
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to reduce
To decrease something in its scope, duration, or amount; to reduce. This can refer to texts, budgets, salaries, or periods of time.
Wegen der schlechten Wirtschaftslage musste die Firma die Gehälter kürzen.
Because of the poor economic situation, the company had to reduce salaries.
The verb `kürzen` (to shorten / reduce) is derived directly from the adjective `kurz` (short). It literally means 'to make something short or shorter'.
Der Redakteur bat mich, meinen Artikel zu kürzen.
The editor asked me to shorten my article.
You can recognize the exact meaning of `kürzen` (to shorten / reduce) from the object. With money or texts, it is about reduction (m01); with clothing, it is about length (m02); and with fractions, it is about mathematics (m03).
Die Firma muss die Kosten kürzen.
The company has to reduce costs.
If you want to specify the exact amount or percentage of the reduction, use the preposition `um` + accusative.
Das Budget für die Reise wurde um 200 Euro gekürzt.
The budget for the trip was reduced by 200 euros.
In mathematics, the preposition `mit` is used to indicate which number a fraction is reduced by.
Du kannst den Bruch 6/9 mit 3 kürzen.
You can reduce the fraction 6/9 by 3.
to increase
'erhöhen' and 'kürzen' are often opposites when it comes to amounts, sums, time, or scope. 'erhöhen' means that something becomes more or is made larger, for example a price, a salary, or a number. 'kürzen' means that something becomes less or is made smaller, for example a budget, a text, or working hours. With money or time, the contrast is especially clear: you can 'ein Budget erhöhen' (increase a budget) or 'ein Budget kürzen' (cut a budget).
Wegen der hohen Kosten kürzt die Firma die Reisezeit.
Because of the high costs, the company is reducing the travel time.
Wir haben das Budget für den Schulausflug erhöht.
We increased the budget for the school trip.