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.
to shorten
To reduce something in its physical length, for example by cutting.
Ich muss die Hose kürzen lassen, sie ist zu lang.
I need to have the pants shortened; they are too long.
to reduce
In mathematics, to divide the numerator and denominator of a fraction by the same divisor in order to simplify the fraction.
Den Bruch 4/8 kann man mit 4 zu 1/2 kürzen.
The fraction 4/8 can be reduced by 4 to 1/2.
to shorten
To shorten a path or route by taking a faster route. The verb 'abkürzen' is more common for this.
Wenn wir durch den Park gehen, können wir den Weg zur Schule deutlich kürzen.
If we go through the park, we can significantly shorten the way to school.
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 reduce
For budgets, „reduzieren“ and „kürzen“ can refer to the same decrease. „Reduzieren“ neutrally states that the amount or value is lower. „Kürzen“ emphasizes more strongly that a specific portion is taken away from a previous or planned amount.
Die Firma kürzt das geplante Reisebudget um 5.000 Euro.
The company is cutting the planned travel budget by 5,000 euros.
Die Firma reduziert das geplante Reisebudget von 20.000 auf 15.000 Euro.
The company is reducing the planned travel budget from 20,000 to 15,000 euros.
