Definition
长短 (cháng duǎn) has three distinct senses: length, accident, and right/wrong/merits. For length it is broader than the precise 长度 (cháng dù). The accident sense is a euphemism, often in negative/hypothetical statements (出什么长短), unlike the broader 意外 (yì wài). For right/wrong, 长短 focuses on pros and cons, while 是非 (shì fēi) implies disputes.
noun
length (physical or duration)accidentmishapright and wrongmerits and demerits
Examples
- 长短。Zhè tiáo shéngzi de cháng duǎn zhènghǎo héshì.The length of this rope is just right.
- ，长短。Kāi chē yí dìng yào xiǎoxīn, bú yào chū shénme cháng duǎn.Be careful when driving — don't have an accident.
- 长短。Tāmen liǎ zài zhēnglùn zhè jiàn shì de cháng duǎn.The two of them are arguing about the rights and wrongs of this matter.
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