How common it is
短 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say duǎn slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
短可以用来形容物体的长度。例如，你可以描述一件衣服是短的还是长的。
duǎn kě yǐ lái gōng xǔ yù wù de dà cháng 。rú guǒ ， nǐ kě yǐ miáo shū jiàn yī jiàn fú qún shì duǎn de hái shì cháng de 。
短 can be used to describe the length of an object. For example, you can describe a piece of clothing as short or long.
Context note
短常用于描述衣服、书本或时间的长度。例如，你可以用它来描述一本书是短的还是长的。
duǎn cháng yòng yú miáo shū yī fú qún 、 shū běn huò shí jiān de dà cháng 。rú guǒ ， nǐ kě yǐ yòng tā lái miáo shū yī běn shū shì duǎn de hái shì cháng de 。
短 is often used to describe the length of clothes, books, or time. For example, you can use it to describe a book as short or long.
5 examples
这条裤子很短。
zhè tiáo kù zǐ hěn duǎn。
These pants are very short.
这本书不短。
zhè běn shū bù duǎn。
This book is not short.
这个故事太短了。
zhè ge gù shì tài duǎn le。
This story is too short.
这条裙子有点短。
zhè tiáo qún zǐ yǒu diǎn duǎn。
This skirt is a bit short.
这段视频很短。
zhè duàn shì pín hěn duǎn。
This video is very short.
5 mini stories
小明的裤子太短了，他需要买一条长一点的。
xiǎo míng de kù zǐ tài duǎn le， tā xū yào mǎi yì tiáo cháng yì diǎn de。
Xiaoming's pants are too short, he needs to buy a longer pair.
妈妈说这本书很短，适合孩子阅读。
mā ma shuō zhè běn shū hěn duǎn， shì hé hái zi yuè dú。
Mom says this book is very short and suitable for children to read.
小红的裙子有点短，她决定下次买长一点的。
xiǎo hóng de qún zǐ yǒu diǎn duǎn， tā jué dìng xià cì mǎi cháng yì diǎn de。
Xiaohong's skirt is a bit short, she decides to buy a longer one next time.
这段视频太短了，不够看。
zhè duàn shì pín tài duǎn le， bú gòu kàn。
This video is too short, not enough to watch.
这本书不短，内容很丰富。
zhè běn shū bù duǎn， nèi róng hěn fēng fù。
This book is not short, the content is very rich.