短
duǎn/tu̯än²¹⁴/
In Chinese, 'short' is translated as 短 (duǎn).
The term 短 is used to describe something that is brief in duration, pointed or abrupt in nature or short in physical length. In more formal contexts, it can also be used to express a shortage or a deficiency, such as in the word 短缺.
Meaning: abrupt, brief, pointed, petulant (adj)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between length and height. Use 短 to describe the length of an object or the duration of time, but use 矮 (ǎi) when you want to describe a person or an object being short in height.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use 短 as a predicate adjective in a simple sentence, it is common practice to place 很 (hěn) before it. Even if you do not intend to emphasize that something is 'very short', adding 很 makes the sentence sound more natural to native speakers.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is duǎn.
Did you know?
- The word 短 is used in the term 短板, meaning 'short board', which is a common metaphor for a person's weakest point or a system's flaw.
- The character 短 is a phono-semantic compound composed of the radical 矢 meaning 'arrow' and the phonetic element 豆 meaning 'bean'.
- The phrase 短路 uses 短 to mean 'short' in the electrical sense of a 'short circuit'.
Examples in context
- 我喜歡短詩。I like short poems.This sentence shows how to use 短 to describe the length of a poem.Tatoeba #3148931 by cienias, translation #259390 by CK
- 汤姆留短发。Tom has short hair.This sentence demonstrates using 短 to describe hair length.Tatoeba #8500203 by black333, translation #1025311 by CK
- 短回答是是。The short answer is yes.This sentence illustrates using 短 to describe a brief answer.Tatoeba #9953376 by GlossaMatik, translation #4530015 by CK
- 56 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 短, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 短, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
