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短暂 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
短暂duǎnzànof short durationHSK 7, unknown, 24 strokes, rank #5111, Very Hard
短暂duǎnzànbriefHSK 7, unknown, 24 strokes, rank #5111, Very Hard
短暂duǎnzànmomentaryHSK 7, unknown, 24 strokes, rank #5111, Very Hard
duǎnzàn(duan3zan4)duan zan T3
  1. 1of short duration
  2. 2brief
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March 24, 2026

短暂(短暫)duǎnzàn(duan3zan4)

短暂 (duan3 zan4) refers to something that is of short duration or brief in nature. It is commonly used to describe fleeting moments, temporary situations, or transient feelings, emphasizing the brevity of existence or experiences.

Strokes24Frequency#5111DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The concept of brevity is often reflected in Chinese poetry and philosophy, where fleeting beauty and the transient nature of life are celebrated. The appreciation for short-lived moments can be seen in traditional practices like enjoying cherry blossoms in spring.

Memory tip

Imagine a short 'duan' (段) of time, represented by a fleeting shadow (短). Picture a brief moment that disappears quickly, like a flickering candle flame, to remember that 短暂 means 'brief' or 'momentary.'

Meanings of 短暂

duǎnzàn(duan3zan4)
1of short duration
2brief
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 短暂

短暂Simplified
短暫Traditional
24Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 短暂

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Podcast: 短暂

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AI study notes for 短暂

Quick Contrast

短暂 (duǎnzàn) vs 短期 (duǎnqī) — use 短暂 for brief moments or experiences, while 短期 refers specifically to a short period of time, often in a scheduled or planned context.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 短暂 with similar words like 短 (short) which doesn't imply temporariness. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but is particularly common in literature and speeches to evoke emotion. Common collocations include 短暂的快乐 (brief happiness) or 短暂的时间 (short time).

HSK Study Tips

This word may not be included in HSK vocabulary lists, but understanding it can help with descriptions of time and experiences. Connecting it to other adjectives at a similar level, like 漂亮 (pretty) or 简单 (simple), can enrich your vocabulary around qualities and characteristics.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 短暂 with 短, mistakenly using it as a general term for 'short' without the implication of time. For instance, saying 短的电影 (short movie) is incorrect; instead, use 短暂的电影 (brief movie) to convey the intended meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 短暂

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Component characters

短duǎnshort
HSK 312 strokes矢
View full entry
暂zàntemporary
HSK 712 strokes日
View full entry

How to say of short duration in Chinese

“of short duration” in Chinese is短暂duǎnzàn

短暂 (duan3 zan4) refers to something that is of short duration or brief in nature. It is commonly used to describe fleeting moments, temporary situations, or transient feelings, emphasizing the brevity of existence or experiences.

When to use 短暂

Be careful not to confuse 短暂 with similar words like 短 (short) which doesn't imply temporariness. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but is particularly common in literature and speeches to evoke emotion. Common collocations include 短暂的快乐 (brief happiness) or 短暂的时间 (short time).

短暂 or something close to it

短暂 (duǎnzàn) vs 短期 (duǎnqī) — use 短暂 for brief moments or experiences, while 短期 refers specifically to a short period of time, often in a scheduled or planned context.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 短暂 with 短, mistakenly using it as a general term for 'short' without the implication of time. For instance, saying 短的电影 (short movie) is incorrect; instead, use 短暂的电影 (brief movie) to convey the intended meaning.

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短
暂

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Frequently asked questions about 短暂

Yes, you can use 短暂 to describe a person's presence or impact as brief, such as 短暂的相遇 (a brief encounter).

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