Kortom

Kortom is a Dutch adverb meaning "in short" or "to sum up." It is used to introduce a concise restatement or conclusion after a discussion, argument, or description, signaling that a final assessment follows from what has been said.

The expression is treated as a fixed phrase in modern Dutch. It can appear at the beginning of a sentence, after a semicolon, or after a longer clause with a comma. Its tone is neutral and pragmatic, often used in journalism, academic writing, and everyday speech to compress information and highlight the main takeaway. In more formal writing, speakers and writers sometimes prefer alternatives such as in het kort or samengevat, but kortom remains a common, widely understood option.

Etymologically, kortom is considered a compound of kort (short) and om, functioning as a single adverb in contemporary Dutch. It is catalogued in dictionaries as meaning “in short” or “to sum up,” without changing the underlying content of the preceding text.

Usage notes include that kortom tends to produce a concise, direct tone. It is most appropriate when a person wants to distill key points into a single, clear conclusion, and it is often followed by a comma. It is less common in highly formal prose where more expansive phrasing might be preferred.

Related expressions include in het kort and samengevat, which serve similar purposes. See also concluderend, summarizing phrases, and other Dutch transitional devices used to signal a concluding remark.