Chinese word

短暂

Pronunciation

Pinyinduǎn zàn

Meaning

  • adjectivebrief

Example

短暂的假期很快结束了。duǎn zàn de jià qī hěn kuài jié shù le

The brief vacation ended quickly.

Illustration for 短暂 (brief)

More examples

那种幸福只是短暂的，我们很快又回到了现实。nà zhǒng xìng fú zhǐ shì duǎn zàn de wǒ men hěn kuài yòu huí dào le xiàn shí

That happiness was only fleeting, and we soon returned to reality.

Core concept

A passing stretch of time with a clear beginning and end.

Common phrases

  • 短暂的幸福duǎn zàn de xìng fú

    fleeting happiness

  • 短暂的记忆duǎn zàn de jì yì

    short-lived memory

Similar words

暂时zàn shí: Existing or happening only for now and expected to change or end later.
短期duǎn qī: Limited to a short period, especially for a plan, goal, or arrangement.
短促duǎn cù: Lasting a short time and ending quickly with a hurried or abrupt quality.

Definition in Chinese

持续的时间很短，存在或发生不久。chí xù de shí jiān hěn duǎn cún zài huò fā shēng bù jiǔ

Word origin

The compound 短 (duǎn, "short") + 暂 (zàn, "temporary") presents something as short in duration and not lasting.

Usage tips

  • This adjective describes time-bound events, states, or periods rather than the physical size of an object.

Other meanings

  • temporaryadjective
  • fleetingadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 短暂性duǎn zàn xìngtransiencenoun

Word lists with this word