kortliste

Kortliste is a term used in Danish and Norwegian to denote a subset of candidates or items selected from a larger pool for further consideration. It is commonly translated into English as “shortlist.” The word is a compound of kort (short) and liste (list). In practice, a kortliste helps decision-makers focus on the best or most suitable options before making a final choice.

Usage and contexts vary by field. In recruitment and human resources, a kortliste consists of candidates who have passed initial screening and are invited to interviews or assessments. In politics or public administration, a kortliste may refer to a set of candidates approved for the ballot or recommended for a position within a party or coalition. In procurement, bidding, or event planning, it can denote the short list of bidders, suppliers, or venues that will be evaluated more closely. The exact size and criteria of a kortliste differ depending on organization policy and context.

Regional and language notes. The term is common in Danish and Norwegian, and is frequently used in HR, political, and administrative texts. In other languages, the English term “shortlist” is more common, but kortliste appears in Scandinavian sources and documents. Spelling is usually kortliste in both Danish and Norwegian, with occasional two-word variants in older texts or different orthographic conventions.

See also: Shortlist, Candidate selection, Lists, Procurement.