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短促 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
短促duǎncùshort in timeHSK 6, a, rank #29441, Hard
短促duǎncùfleetingHSK 6, a, rank #29441, Hard
短促duǎncùbriefHSK 6, a, rank #29441, Hard
短促duǎncùgasping (breath)HSK 6, a, rank #29441, Hard
短促duǎncùcurt (tone of voice)HSK 6, a, rank #29441, Hard
duǎncù(duan3cu4) T3
  1. 1short in time
  2. 2fleeting
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
短促duǎncù(duan3cu4)

短促 (duǎn cù) describes something that is short in duration or brief, often used to refer to time or experiences that are fleeting. It can also describe a manner of speaking that is curt or abrupt, and is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to convey urgency or a lack of elaboration.

Frequency#29441DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, brevity in communication can often be seen as a sign of efficiency, especially in business settings. Being overly verbose may be viewed as wasting time, making the concept of 短促 particularly relevant in professional interactions.

Memory Tip

Think of 短 (duǎn) as 'short' and 促 (cù) as 'urge' or 'hurry'. Picture someone urgently trying to catch their breath after a sprint, their words coming out in a 'short and hurried' manner, which captures the essence of 短促.

Meanings of 短促

duǎncù(duan3cu4)
1short in time
2fleeting
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 短促

短促Simplified
Strokes
Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#29441Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6TOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 短促

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Podcast: 短促

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AI Study Notes for 短促

Quick Contrast

短暂 (duǎnzàn) - use 短促 for something brief that carries a sense of urgency or abruptness, while 短暂 emphasizes the temporary nature without the same connotation.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 短 (duǎn) as 'short' and 促 (cù) as 'urge' or 'hurry'. Picture someone urgently trying to catch their breath after a sprint, their words coming out in a 'short and hurried' manner, which captures the essence of 短促.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 短促 with other similar terms like 短暂 (duǎn zàn), which specifically means 'short-lived'. In spoken contexts, using 短促 can sometimes come off as abrupt, so be mindful of your tone, especially in formal situations.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 短促 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to time and emotion. Students should focus on how to use it in both descriptive and conversational contexts, enhancing their ability to express urgency or briefness.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, brevity in communication can often be seen as a sign of efficiency, especially in business settings. Being overly verbose may be viewed as wasting time, making the concept of 短促 particularly relevant in professional interactions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 短促 with 短暂, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '这段经历是短暂的' (zhè duàn jīnglì shì duǎnzàn de) instead of '这段经历是短促的' to emphasize the briefness of the experience incorrectly.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 短促

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Component Characters

duǎnshort
HSK 312 strokes
View full entry
urgent
9 strokes
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Write 短促

Practice writing 短促 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 短促

短促 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高,not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

电话线那头噼里啪啦地传来警察局长____的声音。

The Chief Constable's clipped tones crackled over the telephone line.

Example Sentences for 短促 (1)

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1
电话线那头噼里啪啦地传来警察局长短促的声音。

diàn huà xiàn nà tóu pī lǐ pā lā dì chuán lái jǐng chá jú cháng duǎn cù de shēng yīn。

The Chief Constable's clipped tones crackled over the telephone line.

Cultural Notes for 短促

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, brevity in communication can often be seen as a sign of efficiency, especially in business settings. Being overly verbose may be viewed as wasting time, making the concept of 短促 particularly relevant in professional interactions.

Frequently Asked Questions about 短促

Yes, it can describe fleeting emotions or brief moments of feeling, often emphasizing their transitory nature.