Korttids

Korttids is a term used in several Nordic languages—most commonly Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish—to denote something that lasts for only a short period. It is a compound built from kort or korta (short) and tid (time), and functions as an attributive modifier in phrases that describe duration. In everyday language, korttids is used to describe short-term arrangements or phenomena across different domains.

In employment and labor-market contexts, korttids is used when referring to temporary or limited-duration work arrangements, such as short-term contracts, seasonal work, or project-based assignments. In policy discussions, phrases like korttidsarbete or korttidspermittering may appear, denoting arrangements intended to reduce working time for a limited period in order to preserve jobs during economic fluctuations. In other contexts, korttids is used to describe temporary arrangements in healthcare, social care, and education — for example, short-term care periods, short courses, or temporary stays.

Linguistic notes: Although the exact usage varies by country, the core idea is consistent: korttids marks a duration that is shorter than the usual or planned period. It is typically used as a modifier form and often appears in compounds with nouns to specify the domain (for instance, jobs, leave, or care).