Verkürzt

Verkürzt is a German adjective and the past participle of the verb verkürzen. It denotes something that has been reduced in length, scope, or duration, such as an edition, version, or period of time. In common usage, it signals that a resource has been shortened from a longer form.

Etymology and meaning: The form comes from verkürzen, which combines the prefix ver- with kürzen (to shorten). The prefix ver- often indicates a change or transformation, here resulting in a shorter state or version. As an adjective, verkürzt can describe both tangible reductions and more abstract ones, such as a condensed argument or shortened process.

Grammar and usage: Verkürzt functions as a participle II and, when used attributively, behaves like an ordinary adjective. Examples include: Ich habe den Text verkürzt (I shortened the text). Eine verkürzte Fassung des Romans (an abridged edition of the novel). Der Bericht ist verkürzt (The report is shortened). It can also appear in predicative constructions: Die Verhandlung ist verkürzt (The proceedings are shortened).

Contexts and examples: The term is common in publishing, film, and media to describe abridged versions, edited cuts, or condensed content. It is also used in legal or administrative contexts to indicate shortened timelines or durations, for example, eine verkürzte Verfahrensdauer, or verkürzte Fristen.

Related terms: Verkürzung (the noun form meaning shortening or abridgement) and verkürzend (present participle, indicating the process of shortening). The opposite concept is verlängern (to lengthen) or ausdehnen (to extend).