kurz
/kʊʁt͡s/
The German word for short is kurz.
kurz is used to describe something that is brief in duration, pointed or abrupt in manner or short in physical length. It serves as the root for the adjective kurzfristig, which means short-term or short-notice and is also found in the technical verb kurzschließen, meaning to short-circuit.
Meaning: abrupt, brief, pointed, petulant (adj)
Which one should you use?
While kurz refers to the duration of time or the length of an object, the word klein is used to describe a person's short stature.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective used before a noun, the form changes based on the noun's gender and case. For example, it takes the ending -e before a feminine noun, such as kurze Pause (short break) and the ending -es before a neuter noun in the nominative case, such as kurzes Leben (short life).
How do you pronounce it?
/kʊʁts/
Did you know?
- The German verb kurzschließen uses the word for 'short' to describe an electrical short-circuit, but it also means 'to reach a consensus' or 'to agree' in a figurative sense.
- English speakers might use the word 'curt' to describe a blunt reply, but this word is actually a direct linguistic relative of the German kurz.
Examples in context
- Das ist zu kurz.This is too short.This sentence demonstrates the use of kurz to indicate something is too short.Tatoeba #2929967 by Manfredo, translation #55511 by CK
- Mach es kurz, Tom!Make it short, Tom.This sentence shows how to use kurz when asking someone to be brief.Tatoeba #7441636 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #6781536 by CK
- Er hat kurzes Haar.He has short hair.This sentence illustrates the use of the word kurz when describing hair.Tatoeba #1948478 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1946905 by Spamster
- Ich bin kleinI am short
- Ich wünschte, ich wäre ein bisschen größer. Ich bin so kleinI wish I was a bit taller. I am so short
- 442 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Maximilian are discussing a business meeting.
- JuliaWar die Antwort von dem Chef kurz?Was the boss's answer brief?
- MaximilianJa, er war sehr kurz angebunden.Yes, he was very curt.
- JuliaDas klingt nicht sehr freundlich.That doesn't sound very friendly.
- MaximilianEr hatte heute leider wenig Zeit.Unfortunately, he had little time today.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry kurz, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kurz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
