01
verkürzen
to shorten
To reduce the duration of something; to make something shorter in time.
example
Können wir die Besprechung vielleicht um 15 Minuten verkürzen?
Could we maybe shorten the meeting by 15 minutes?
verkürzen
to shorten
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The verb is made up of the prefix 'ver-' and the adjective 'kurz' (short). It literally means 'to make shorter' and is inseparable.
EXAMPLE
Der Redner musste seine Rede spontan verkürzen.
The speaker had to shorten his speech spontaneously.
Transitive vs. reflexive
When a person or thing actively makes something shorter, 'verkürzen' (to shorten) is used transitively. When something becomes shorter by itself, the reflexive form 'sich verkürzen' (to shorten) is used.
EXAMPLE
Ich lasse die Hose beim Schneider verkürzen.
I'm having the pants shortened at the tailor's.
Use with 'um'
To indicate the exact amount of shortening, the preposition 'um' is used followed by an accusative.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben die Reise um zwei Tage verkürzt.
We shortened the trip by two days.
Typical collocations (time)
When referring to time, 'verkürzen' (to shorten) is often combined with words like 'die Wartezeit' (the waiting time), 'die Frist' (the deadline), 'die Arbeitszeit' (working hours), or 'den Aufenthalt' (the stay).
EXAMPLE
Ein gutes Buch kann die Wartezeit beim Arzt verkürzen.
A good book can shorten the waiting time at the doctor's office.
Typical collocations (length)
When referring to physical length, typical objects are items of clothing ('ein Kleid' — a dress, 'eine Hose' — a pair of pants) or texts ('einen Satz' — a sentence, 'ein Kapitel' — a chapter).
EXAMPLE
Der Autor musste den Artikel für die Zeitung stark verkürzen.
The author had to shorten the article significantly for the newspaper.
Compare with
verkürzen vs reduzieren
to reduce
'reduzieren' and 'verkürzen' can both mean that something becomes less. 'reduzieren' is more general and fits with amounts, costs, risks, or intensity. 'verkürzen' is used more specifically when it is about time or length. A meeting, a route, or a text can be shortened. Costs or noise are more likely to be reduced. If you want to say that something takes less time or is less long, 'verkürzen' is usually more precise.
verkürzen
Bitte verkürzen Sie den Vortrag, weil wir nur noch zehn Minuten haben.
Please shorten the presentation, because we only have ten minutes left.
reduzieren
Wir haben den Energieverbrauch im Büro deutlich reduziert.
We significantly reduced the energy consumption in the office.
In real life
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