Dictionary🇨🇳 Chinese → 🇺🇸 English
长短
chángduǎn
Description
"长短"由"长"和"短"两个字组成，可以指东西的长度。
"长短" consists of the characters "长" and "短" and can refer to the length of something.
它也可以指别人的好坏或者是非。
It can also refer to someone's merits or faults.
Meanings
长短chángduǎn
length (of something)
这两根线的长短一样。
These two wires are the same length.
长短chángduǎn
right and wrong; merits and faults
不要在背后说别人的长短。
Don't talk about others' shortcomings behind their backs.
长短chángduǎn
mishap; accident (usually of a person)
她担心儿子有个长短。
She worries her son has a flaw.
Related words
Notes
- Etymology
an antonym compound of 长 (long) and 短 (short) meaning length or, figuratively, rights and wrongs.
- Nuance
the sense of misfortune usually appears in phrases like 三长两短 or 有个长短.
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