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A1 adjective #3,500 más común 8 min de lectura

短暂

duanzan Top 3,500

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos 短暂 en 30 segundos

Explicación 短暂 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 短暂 (duǎn zàn) as a more specific version of the word for 'short.' While you likely already know 短 (duǎn), which can describe a short pencil or a short street, 短暂 is used specifically for time. Imagine a vacation that feels like it ended too quickly, or a very short break at school. In these cases, you use 短暂. It's a useful word because it helps you talk about your schedule and your feelings about how fast time goes. For example, 'The weekend is brief' (周末很短暂). You will mostly see it used with the word 的 (de) before a noun, like 'a brief meeting' (短暂的会议). At this stage, focus on using it to describe events in your daily life that don't last long. It helps you sound a bit more advanced than just using the basic word 短. Remember: 短 is for things you can touch, but 短暂 is for time you experience.

As an A2 learner, you are starting to use more descriptive language. 短暂 (duǎn zàn) allows you to move beyond simple facts into descriptions of duration. You can use it to describe your travel experiences, like a 'brief stay' in a city (短暂的停留). It is also very common when talking about the weather, such as 'brief rain' (短暂的雨). At this level, you should start noticing the difference between 短暂 (brief) and 暂时 (temporary). While they look similar because they both share the character 暂, 短暂 describes the *length* of time, while 暂时 describes the *status* of an action. For instance, 'I am temporarily busy' uses 暂时, but 'The meeting was brief' uses 短暂. Practice using 短暂 to talk about your hobbies, your work breaks, and your holidays to give your Chinese more variety and precision.

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By B1, you can use 短暂 (duǎn zàn) to discuss more abstract concepts. Instead of just describing a short meeting, you might talk about 'brief happiness' (短暂的快乐) or a 'brief period of peace' (短暂的和平). This word is excellent for storytelling and expressing emotions. You can contrast 短暂 with 漫长 (màn cháng - very long) to create more complex sentences, such as 'The wait was long, but the meeting was brief.' This level of contrast is a hallmark of B1 proficiency. You should also be comfortable using 短暂 in formal contexts, such as writing a report or giving a short presentation. It sounds much more professional than saying '时间很少' (time is very little). Pay attention to how 短暂 is used in news broadcasts and articles to describe events that have a clear start and end point, like a 'brief visit' by a political leader.

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At the B2 level, 短暂 (duǎn zàn) is a word you should use with stylistic intent. You can use it to discuss the transience of trends, the lifespan of technology, or the brief nature of historical eras. You might explore the nuance between 短暂 and synonyms like 匆促 (cōng cù - hurried) or 瞬间 (shùn jiān - instantaneous). While 短暂 describes a duration, 瞬间 describes a specific point in time. Understanding these subtle differences allows you to write more sophisticated essays and participate in deeper discussions. You will also encounter 短暂 in more complex grammatical structures, such as '由于...的短暂...' (Due to the brevity of...). Use this word to add a layer of reflection to your speech, perhaps discussing how 'brief' certain life stages feel in retrospect. It is a key word for expressing the philosophical concept of 'fleetingness' in a natural, native-like way.

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For C1 learners, 短暂 (duǎn zàn) is a tool for nuanced literary and academic expression. You should be able to analyze its usage in classical-influenced modern prose, where it often carries a weight of existential reflection. In academic writing, you might use it to describe the 'brief duration' of a chemical reaction or a 'brief period' of economic volatility. At this level, you should also be aware of the word's collocations with abstract nouns like 'glory' (短暂的荣光) or 'illusion' (短暂的幻觉). You can use 短暂 to create rhythmic balance in your sentences, especially when paired with four-character idioms (chengyu) or other formal vocabulary. Your mastery of 短暂 should extend to knowing when *not* to use it—recognizing when a more specific term like 昙花一现 (tán huā yī xiàn - a flash in the pan) would be more evocative. C1 proficiency means using 短暂 not just correctly, but with an awareness of its emotional and stylistic register.

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At the C2 level, 短暂 (duǎn zàn) is integrated into your vocabulary with complete native-like intuition. You understand its role in the broader spectrum of Chinese temporal vocabulary, from the most colloquial to the most archaic. You can use it in high-level debates about time, existence, and history, perhaps discussing the 'briefness' of human civilization in the context of geological time. You are also capable of using the word in creative writing to evoke specific moods, such as the 'brief light' of a setting sun or the 'brief silence' before a storm. Your understanding includes the historical development of the characters 短 and 暂 and how their combination has evolved to become the standard modern term. At this level, 短暂 is more than just an adjective; it is a conceptual building block that you can manipulate to express the most subtle shades of meaning in any context, from a legal contract to a profound philosophical treatise.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

短暂 en 30 segundos

短暂 (duǎn zàn) is a formal adjective meaning 'brief' or 'short-lived,' used exclusively for time.
It is composed of 'short' (短) and 'temporary' (暂), highlighting the fleeting nature of a duration.
Commonly used to describe meetings, stays, life, happiness, and weather events like rain showers.
It contrasts with '漫长' (long) and should not be used for physical length (use '短' instead).

The Chinese adjective 短暂 (duǎn zàn) is a cornerstone of temporal description in Mandarin. At its core, it combines two characters: 短 (duǎn), meaning 'short' in length or duration, and 暂 (zàn), meaning 'temporary' or 'for a moment.' Together, they form a word that describes something that lasts for only a very limited amount of time. While a simple 'short' might be expressed as just 短, 短暂 carries a more formal, often poignant or descriptive weight, suggesting that the brevity is a defining characteristic of the event or period being discussed.

Temporal Scope: It is most commonly used to describe periods of time, such as vacations, meetings, or life stages. It emphasizes the fleeting nature of these moments.
Emotional Resonance: In literature and daily speech, it often evokes a sense of nostalgia or urgency, highlighting that because something is brief, it is precious.
Grammatical Function: As an adjective, it can directly modify nouns (e.g., 短暂的生命 - a brief life) or serve as a predicate (e.g., 假期很短暂 - the vacation was very short).

You will encounter this word in a variety of contexts, ranging from the mundane to the philosophical. In a business setting, a manager might describe a 'brief meeting' as 短暂的会议. In a romantic novel, an author might describe a 'brief encounter' as 短暂的相遇. The word is versatile because it doesn't just mean 'short'; it implies a 'shortness' that is noticed or felt by the observer.

生命虽然短暂，但我们可以让它变得有意义。(Life is brief, but we can make it meaningful.)

他们在那座城市进行了短暂的停留。(They made a brief stay in that city.)

流星在天空中划过一道短暂的光芒。(The meteor streaked across the sky in a brief flash of light.)

午休时间非常短暂。(The lunch break is very short-lived/brief.)

这段短暂的快乐让他难忘。(This brief happiness was unforgettable for him.)

Understanding 短暂 allows you to describe the rhythm of life. Whether you are talking about the seasons changing, a quick phone call, or the span of a human life, this word provides the necessary nuance to convey that time is slipping away. It is more sophisticated than 短 and more specific than 快 (fast). It focuses on the duration itself, marking it as something that began and ended in what felt like a blink of an eye.

Using 短暂 (duǎn zàn) correctly involves understanding its placement in a sentence. It functions primarily as an attributive adjective (modifying a noun) or as a predicative adjective (following a subject). Because it is a disyllabic (two-character) adjective, it often takes the particle 的 (de) when modifying a noun, though in some fixed phrases, the 的 can be omitted.

The [Noun] is [Adjective] Pattern: Structure: [Time-related Noun] + [很/非常/十分] + 短暂. Example: 假期总是很短暂 (Vacations are always very brief).
The Attributive Pattern: Structure: 短暂的 + [Noun]. Example: 短暂的休息 (A brief rest). This is the most common way to use the word in descriptive writing.
Comparison and Contrast: It is frequently contrasted with 漫长 (màn cháng), which means 'very long' (of time). Example: 相聚是短暂的，离别是漫长的 (The reunion is brief, the separation is long).

In formal writing, 短暂 is preferred over more colloquial ways of saying 'short time' like 一会儿 (yī huì r). While 一会儿 acts as an adverb or noun meaning 'a little while,' 短暂 describes the nature of the time itself. You wouldn't say 'I will wait for a 短暂'; you would say 'I had a 短暂 wait.'

由于时间短暂，我们只能讨论最重要的议题。(Due to the brief time, we can only discuss the most important issues.)

他在这个职位上只待了短暂的几个月。(He only stayed in this position for a brief few months.)

青春是短暂的，我们应该珍惜它。(Youth is brief; we should cherish it.)

Furthermore, 短暂 can be used to describe non-physical things that have a temporal dimension, like a 'brief silence' (短暂的沉默) or a 'brief period of prosperity' (短暂的繁荣). This versatility makes it an essential word for moving beyond basic survival Chinese into more expressive, descriptive language. It allows the speaker to not just state a fact about time, but to provide a qualitative assessment of it.

In the real world, 短暂 (duǎn zàn) is not just a vocabulary word; it's a piece of the linguistic landscape found in news, literature, and formal announcements. You will likely hear it in situations where time is being managed or reflected upon. Its formal tone makes it very common in professional and academic environments, but its descriptive power makes it a favorite in song lyrics and movies.

News and Weather: Meteorologists often use it to describe weather patterns: '短暂的阵雨' (brief showers) or '短暂的晴天' (a brief sunny spell). News anchors might use it for political events: '短暂的停火' (a brief ceasefire).
Literature and Poetry: Writers use 短暂 to emphasize the fragility of life or beauty. It appears frequently in poems about the passing of seasons or the fleeting nature of dreams.
Business and Professionalism: In a corporate context, it's used to describe short-term projects or temporary roles. '短暂的任期' (a brief term of office) or '短暂的培训' (a brief training session).

Interestingly, in the age of social media, 短暂 is also used to describe viral trends or 'internet moments.' A celebrity might experience '短暂的走红' (brief internet fame). This modern application shows how the word continues to be relevant as our perception of time and attention spans changes.

虽然这次会议很短暂，但效率很高。(Although this meeting was brief, it was very efficient.)

这种花的花期非常短暂，只有几天时间。(The flowering period of this flower is very brief, only a few days.)

在经历了短暂的混乱后，秩序得到了恢复。(After a brief period of chaos, order was restored.)

Whether you are watching a movie where the protagonist laments a 'brief romance' or reading a history book about a 'brief dynasty,' 短暂 is the key to understanding the temporal constraints being described. It conveys a specific kind of 'shortness'—one that is defined by its beginning and its end, often leaving the observer wishing for more.

While 短暂 (duǎn zàn) is a relatively straightforward word, English speakers often make mistakes by overusing it or applying it to contexts where other 'short' words are more appropriate. Understanding the boundaries of 短暂 is crucial for achieving natural-sounding Chinese.

Physical vs. Temporal: Mistake: Using 短暂 for physical length. Correct: Use 短 (duǎn). You cannot say '短暂的铅笔' for a short pencil; you must say '短铅笔'. 短暂 is strictly for time.
Confusion with 'Temporary' (暂时): Mistake: Using 短暂 as an adverb meaning 'for now.' Correct: Use 暂时 (zàn shí). If you want to say 'I am temporarily staying here,' use 暂时. 短暂 describes the quality of the stay, not the status of the action.
Redundancy: Mistake: Saying '很短暂的时间' unnecessarily. Correct: Often '短暂' or '短时间' is enough. While '短暂的时间' is grammatically correct, it can sometimes feel repetitive since 短暂 already implies time.

Another common error is failing to use the particle 的 (de) when it's required. Because 短暂 is a two-syllable adjective, it almost always needs 的 when it comes before a noun. Saying '短暂休息' is possible in headlines or telegram-style speech, but in full sentences, '短暂的休息' is much more natural.

Incorrect: 他的头发很短暂。
Correct: 他的头发很短。(His hair is short.)

Incorrect: 我短暂住在这里。
Correct: 我暂时住在这里。(I am temporarily living here.)

Finally, be careful not to confuse 短暂 with 仓促 (cāng cù). While both involve a short time, 仓促 implies that the time was *too* short, leading to haste or lack of preparation. 短暂 is more neutral or descriptive of the actual duration, regardless of whether it caused a rush.

In Chinese, there are several ways to express the idea of 'short' or 'brief.' Choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey. 短暂 (duǎn zàn) is the most versatile and standard term, but here are some common alternatives:

短 (duǎn): The basic, single-character word for 'short.' It is used for both physical length and time. It is less formal than 短暂. Example: 时间太短 (Time is too short).
暂时 (zàn shí): Means 'temporary' or 'for the time being.' It is usually an adverb. Example: 暂时停止 (Temporarily stop).
刹那 (chà nà): A more poetic/literary term meaning 'in an instant' or 'a split second.' Borrowed from Sanskrit. Example: 刹那间 (In an instant).
仓促 (cāng cù): Means 'hurried' or 'hasty.' It implies that because the time was short, things were done in a rush. Example: 仓促决定 (A hasty decision).
片刻 (piàn kè): A formal noun meaning 'a short while' or 'a moment.' Example: 请稍候片刻 (Please wait a moment).

When comparing these, 短暂 stands out as the standard adjective for describing the *duration* of a period. 短 is more casual, 暂时 is more about the state of being non-permanent, and 刹那 is much shorter than 短暂.

Comparison:
1. 我们的相处很短暂。(Our time together was brief.) - Neutral/Descriptive.
2. 我们的相处很仓促。(Our time together was hurried.) - Implies a rush.

In summary, use 短暂 when you want to describe a period of time as being short in a formal or thoughtful way. If you are talking about a physical object, use 短. If you are talking about an action that is only for now, use 暂时. If you are talking about a split second, use 瞬间 or 刹那.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The character 暂 (zàn) contains the component for 'sun' (日) because ancient people measured time based on the sun's position. A 'temporary' moment was seen as a 'cut' in the sun's path.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /dwæn.tsæn/

US /dwæn.tsæn/

The stress is balanced on both syllables, but the fourth tone on 'zàn' makes it sound more forceful.

Rima con

慢 (màn) 站 (zhàn) 看 (kàn) 饭 (fàn) 半 (bàn) 散 (sàn) 烂 (làn) 叹 (tàn)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'zan' as 'jan'.
Misplacing the tones (should be 3rd then 4th).
Confusing 'duan' with 'dong'.
Saying 'zhan' instead of 'zan'.
Failing to aspirate the 'z' correctly.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Characters are relatively common but '暂' can be tricky for beginners.

Escritura 3/5

The character '暂' has many strokes and requires practice.

Expresión oral 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward if tones are mastered.

Escucha 2/5

Commonly heard in formal and descriptive contexts.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

短时间很是的

Aprende después

暂时漫长瞬间珍惜持久

Avanzado

昙花一现稍纵即逝须臾仓促

Gramática que debes saber

Adjective + 的 + Noun

短暂的休息 (A brief rest)

Degree Adverb + Adjective

非常短暂 (Very brief)

虽然...但是...

虽然时间短暂，但是很有趣。 (Although the time was brief, it was very interesting.)

Noun + 是 + Adjective + 的

快乐是短暂的。 (Happiness is brief.)

Due to (由于) + Phrase

由于时间短暂... (Due to the brief time...)

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Ejemplos por nivel

周末很短暂。

The weekend is brief.

Subject + 很 + Adjective.

这是一个短暂的会议。

This is a brief meeting.

短暂的 + Noun.

他的假期很短暂。

His vacation was brief.

Possessive + Noun + 很 + 短暂.

我有一个短暂的休息。

I have a brief rest.

Verb + 宾语 (Object) modified by 短暂的.

雨很短暂。

The rain was brief.

Simple subject-predicate structure.

短暂的十分钟。

A brief ten minutes.

Adjective modifying a time duration.

那是一场短暂的比赛。

That was a brief game.

Measure word + 短暂的 + Noun.

春天很短暂。

Spring is brief.

Season + 很 + 短暂.

我们在北京进行了短暂的停留。

We made a brief stay in Beijing.

进行 + 短暂的 + 停留 (formal structure).

这种快乐是短暂的。

This kind of happiness is brief.

Subject + 是 + 短暂的 (descriptive).

医生做了短暂的检查。

The doctor did a brief check-up.

Verb + 短暂的 + Noun.

由于时间短暂，我们走吧。

Since time is short, let's go.

由于 (due to) + Noun Phrase.

他只给了我一个短暂的微笑。

He only gave me a brief smile.

Modified noun in an object position.

天空出现了短暂的彩虹。

A brief rainbow appeared in the sky.

Subject (location) + Verb + 短暂的 + Object.

这只是一次短暂的访问。

This is just a brief visit.

只是 (just) + Measure word + 短暂的 + Noun.

虽然时间短暂，但我学到了很多。

Although the time was brief, I learned a lot.

虽然...但... (Although... but...)

生命虽然短暂，但我们要珍惜。

Although life is brief, we must cherish it.

Abstract noun + 虽然 + 短暂.

那个国家的和平非常短暂。

The peace in that country was very brief.

Abstract subject + 很 + 短暂.

他陷入了短暂的沉默。

He fell into a brief silence.

陷入 (fall into) + 短暂的 + 沉默.

这段短暂的历史被人们遗忘了。

This brief period of history was forgotten by people.

Passive voice with an adjective-modified subject.

我们之间有过一段短暂的友谊。

There was a brief friendship between us.

有过 (have had) + Period of time + 短暂的 + Noun.

手机的电池寿命非常短暂。

The battery life of the phone is very brief.

Specific attribute + 很 + 短暂.

那场电影引起了短暂的轰动。

That movie caused a brief sensation.

引起 (cause) + 短暂的 + 轰动.

他在演讲中做了短暂的停顿。

He made a brief pause during the speech.

在...中 (during) + 做了 + 短暂的 + 停顿.

相聚的时间总是如此短暂。

The time of gathering is always so brief.

总是如此 (is always so) + Adjective.

这种短暂的繁荣并不可靠。

This brief prosperity is not reliable.

Subject modified by 短暂的 + Negative predicate.

他的一生虽然短暂，却充满了传奇。

His life, though brief, was full of legends.

...虽然...却... (Although... yet...).

流星划过夜空，留下短暂的光芒。

A meteor streaks across the night sky, leaving a brief glow.

Verb + 短暂的 + Object.

由于技术的快速更新，产品的生命周期变得更加短暂。

Due to rapid technological updates, product lifecycles have become even shorter.

变得 (become) + 更加 (more) + 短暂.

在这短暂的瞬间，他决定了未来。

In this brief moment, he decided his future.

在...瞬间 (In... moment).

我们需要在短暂的窗口期内完成任务。

We need to complete the task within the brief window of opportunity.

在...内 (within).

这种情绪只是短暂的，很快就会过去。

This emotion is only brief and will pass quickly.

只是...很快就会... (Is only... will soon...).

文学作品往往能捕捉到那些短暂而美好的瞬间。

Literary works often capture those brief yet beautiful moments.

短暂 + 而 + 美好 (Brief and beautiful).

权力的巅峰往往是短暂的幻觉。

The pinnacle of power is often a brief illusion.

Abstract subject + 是 + 短暂的 + Noun.

他试图在短暂的任期内推行全面的改革。

He attempted to implement comprehensive reforms during his brief tenure.

在...任期内 (During... tenure).

这种短暂的平衡很快就被打破了。

This brief equilibrium was quickly shattered.

Passive voice: 被 + 打破 (shattered).

大自然中，很多生命的绽放都是短暂的。

In nature, the blooming of many lives is brief.

Topic-comment structure.

他在这部电影中只有一段短暂的出镜。

He only had a brief appearance in this movie.

只有 (only has) + 短暂的 + 出镜 (screen time).

青春的短暂让人感到无奈。

The brevity of youth makes people feel helpless.

Adjective functioning as a noun (brevity).

这只是人类历史上一个短暂的片段。

This is just a brief fragment in human history.

Measure word + 短暂的 + 片段 (fragment).

在宇宙的尺度下，人类的文明不过是极其短暂的一瞬。

On a cosmic scale, human civilization is but an extremely brief instant.

极其 (extremely) + 短暂 + 的 + 一瞬 (instant).

他用诗歌记录了那些稍纵即逝、极其短暂的灵感。

He recorded those fleeting and extremely brief inspirations through poetry.

稍纵即逝 (fleeting) and 短暂 used together for emphasis.

这种短暂的社会契约在危机面前显得脆弱不堪。

This brief social contract appears extremely fragile in the face of crisis.

显得 (appears) + 脆弱不堪 (extremely fragile).

历史学家们对那个短暂王朝的评价褒贬不一。

Historians have mixed reviews of that short-lived dynasty.

对...的评价 (Evaluation of...).

尽管欢愉是短暂的，但它留下的印记却是永恒的。

Although pleasure is brief, the mark it leaves is eternal.

Contrast between 短暂 and 永恒 (eternal).

他在短暂的清醒时刻交代了后事。

He gave his final instructions during a brief moment of lucidity.

清醒时刻 (moment of lucidity).

这种短暂的政治联盟往往缺乏坚实的基础。

Such brief political alliances often lack a solid foundation.

缺乏 (lack) + 基础 (foundation).

艺术家试图捕捉光影在物体表面那短暂的跳动。

The artist tries to capture the brief dancing of light and shadow on the surface of objects.

Complex object phrase.

Colocaciones comunes

短暂的停留

生命短暂

短暂的快乐

短暂的沉默

短暂的会议

短暂的休息

短暂的雨

短暂的任期

短暂的辉煌

短暂的相聚

Frases Comunes

人生短暂

— Life is short. Used to encourage people to live fully.

人生短暂，及时行乐。

短暂而美好

— Brief yet beautiful. Often used for experiences or nature.

那是一段短暂而美好的时光。

短暂的瞬间

— A brief moment. Emphasizes the very short duration.

就在那短暂的瞬间，我改变了主意。

短暂的记忆

— Short-lived memory. Can refer to poor memory or a fleeting thought.

这只是我脑海中一段短暂的记忆。

短暂的假期

— Brief vacation. A common complaint about holidays.

我刚刚结束了短暂的假期。

短暂的访问

— Brief visit. Used in official news or social contexts.

总统对该国进行了短暂的访问。

短暂的平静

— Brief calm. Often used before a storm or conflict.

这是暴风雨前短暂的平静。

短暂的接触

— Brief contact. Used for social or physical interaction.

我们只有过几次短暂的接触。

短暂的痛苦

— Brief pain. Used to reassure someone it won't last long.

这只是短暂的痛苦，忍一下。

短暂的相遇

— Brief encounter. Often used in romantic or poetic contexts.

我们之间只有过一次短暂的相遇。

Se confunde a menudo con

短暂 vs 短 (duǎn)

Used for physical length; '短暂' is only for time.

短暂 vs 暂时 (zàn shí)

'暂时' is an adverb meaning 'temporary'; '短暂' is an adjective meaning 'brief'.

短暂 vs 仓促 (cāng cù)

'仓促' implies being in a rush; '短暂' just describes the duration.

Modismos y expresiones

"昙花一现"

— Like the blooming of the epiphyllum; a flash in the pan. Describes something very brief.

他的成功只是昙花一现。

Literary

"稍纵即逝"

— Fleeting; gone in a blink. Used for opportunities or time.

机会稍纵即逝，必须抓住。

Formal

"白驹过隙"

— Like a white horse leaping across a gap; time flies.

人生如白驹过隙，转眼已是中年。

Archaic

"转瞬即逝"

— Disappear in the twinkling of an eye.

幸福往往转瞬即逝。

Formal

"光阴似箭"

— Time flies like an arrow.

光阴似箭，我们要努力学习。

Common

"日月如梭"

— Days and months fly like a shuttle.

日月如梭，转眼间孩子都长大了。

Common

"电光石火"

— Lightning or spark from a flint; a very short flash.

一切都在电光石火间发生了。

Literary

"朝生暮死"

— Born in the morning and dead by evening; very short-lived.

有些昆虫的生活是朝生暮死的。

Literary

"一朝一夕"

— A morning and an evening; a very short period of time.

成功不是一朝一夕的事。

Formal

"弹指之间"

— In the snap of a finger.

十年时间，弹指之间就过去了。

Neutral

Fácil de confundir

短暂 vs 短促

Both mean short duration.

短促 is more formal and often refers to sound, breath, or very rapid events.

他的呼吸变得短促。

短暂 vs 片刻

Both refer to a short time.

片刻 is a noun meaning 'a moment'; 短暂 is an adjective describing time.

请等候片刻。

短暂 vs 瞬间

Both mean short time.

瞬间 is a noun referring to a specific point in time (an instant).

瞬间就消失了。

短暂 vs 偶尔

Both relate to time frequency/duration.

偶尔 means 'occasionally' (frequency); 短暂 means 'brief' (duration).

我偶尔去那里。

短暂 vs 稍微

Both imply a small amount.

稍微 is an adverb meaning 'slightly'; 短暂 is an adjective for time.

请稍微快一点。

Patrones de oraciones

Subject + 很 + 短暂。

周末很短暂。

短暂的 + Noun。

短暂的休息。

虽然...但...短暂。

虽然假期短暂，但很开心。

由于...的短暂...

由于时间的短暂，我们要快点。

短暂而 + Adjective + 的 + Noun。

短暂而美好的时光。

极其 + 短暂 + 的 + 一瞬。

极其短暂的一瞬。

Neutral

只是 + 短暂的。

这只是短暂的。

Formal

进行了 + 短暂的 + 停留/访问。

进行了短暂的访问。

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

短处 (shortcoming)

暂行 (provisional/temporary measure)

Verbos

缩短 (to shorten)

暂缓 (to postpone)

Adjetivos

短小 (short and small)

暂时的 (temporary)

Relacionado

时间 (time)

长度 (length)

瞬息 (moment)

光阴 (time)

岁月 (years)

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Highly common in both written and spoken Chinese.

Errores comunes

我的铅笔很短暂。 → 我的铅笔很短。
短暂 is only for time, not physical objects.
我短暂住在这里。 → 我暂时住在这里。
暂时 is the adverb for 'temporarily'; 短暂 is an adjective.
一个短的时间。 → 一个短暂的时间。
While '短' is correct, '短暂' is more natural and formal for describing time.
他的个子很短暂。 → 他很矮。
You cannot use '短暂' for a person's height.
短暂休息。 → 短暂的休息。
Two-syllable adjectives usually need '的' before the noun.

Consejos

Time Only

Always remember that '短暂' is strictly for time. Don't use it for length or height.

Use 'de'

When placing '短暂' before a noun, almost always use the particle '的' (de).

Pair with 'màncháng'

Learning '短暂' and '漫长' together helps you describe almost any duration of time.

Check the 4th Tone

Make sure 'zàn' has a sharp falling tone to sound clear.

Weather Reports

Listen for this word in weather forecasts to hear it used naturally for rain showers.

Abstract Nouns

Use '短暂' with abstract nouns like 'joy' or 'silence' to sound more poetic.

Brevity vs. Haste

Don't confuse '短暂' (brief) with '仓促' (hurried). One is about duration, the other about speed/rush.

Learn 'tánhuāyīxiàn'

This idiom is a great follow-up to '短暂' for describing something very fleeting.

Polite Complaining

Use '假期很短暂' as a safe, common conversation starter with colleagues.

Look for '暂'

Whenever you see '暂', it usually relates to something temporary or short-term.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'Duan' (Dawn) that is 'Zan' (Gone). A dawn is a very brief period of the day.

Asociación visual

Imagine an hourglass where the sand is almost gone, or a shooting star that disappears in a second.

Word Web

Time Brief Short Temporary Fleeting Moment Fast Limited

Desafío

Try to use '短暂' in a sentence to describe your last weekend.

Origen de la palabra

The character 短 (duǎn) originally depicted an arrow (矢) next to a bean (豆), which was used as a measuring vessel, implying something short. The character 暂 (zàn) combines 'cut' (斩) and 'sun/day' (日), suggesting a day that is cut short or a temporary time.

Significado original: The combination '短暂' emerged to specifically address the concept of temporal shortness, as opposed to physical shortness.

Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic.

Contexto cultural

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral descriptive word.

English speakers often use 'brief' for meetings and 'short' for everything else. In Chinese, '短暂' covers the formal 'brief' and the descriptive 'short-lived'.

The poem 'Short Song Style' (短歌行) by Cao Cao. The movie 'Brief Encounter' (短暂的相遇 - translated title). Common song titles in Mandopop about '短暂的爱'.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Travel

短暂的停留
短暂的旅行
短暂的假期
短暂的访问

Weather

短暂的阵雨
短暂的晴天
短暂的寒冷
短暂的日照

Emotions

短暂的快乐
短暂的痛苦
短暂的兴奋
短暂的忧伤

Business

短暂的会议
短暂的任期
短暂的合作
短暂的培训

Philosophy

生命短暂
青春短暂
时光短暂
繁荣短暂

Inicios de conversación

"你觉得这个周末是不是太短暂了？ (Do you think this weekend was too brief?)"

"你曾经有过一次短暂但难忘的旅行吗？ (Have you ever had a brief but unforgettable trip?)"

"你如何看待“生命短暂”这句话？ (How do you view the phrase 'life is short'?)"

"如果你只有短暂的一分钟对大家说话，你会说什么？ (If you only had a brief minute to speak to everyone, what would you say?)"

"你最喜欢的花是不是花期很短暂？ (Is the blooming period of your favorite flower very brief?)"

Temas para diario

写一写你生活中一段短暂而美好的时光。 (Write about a brief and beautiful time in your life.)

描述一次你经历过的短暂的挑战。 (Describe a brief challenge you have experienced.)

如果时间很短暂，你会先做哪三件事？ (If time were very short, which three things would you do first?)

谈谈你对“短暂的流行趋势”的看法。 (Talk about your views on 'brief fashion trends'.)

记录一个你观察到的短暂的自然现象。 (Record a brief natural phenomenon you observed.)

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, you cannot. '短暂' is only for time. To describe a short person, use '矮' (ǎi) or '个子短' (less common).

短暂 is an adjective (a brief meeting), while 暂时 is an adverb (I am temporarily staying here).

It is neutral to formal. In very casual speech, people might just say '时间太短' (time is too short).

No. You should say '短铅笔'. '短暂' is not for physical objects.

Yes, it is very common in Mandopop to describe fleeting love or memories.

It is 'zàn', which is the 4th tone (falling). It sounds like the 'ts' in 'cats' followed by 'ahn'.

No. For distance, use '短' or '近' (jìn - near).

The most common opposite is '漫长' (màn cháng), meaning very long (of time).

Generally, no. For a short book, you would say '短篇' or '书很薄' (the book is thin). However, you could describe the *reading process* as '短暂的阅读'.

Yes, very often, for brief meetings, short-term stays, or temporary positions.

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