一长一短

一長一短

yīcháng-yīduǎn

idiom HSK 7-9

Meanings

1 this and that (in gossip)
2 talking at length about various things
3 of varying lengths

Characters

Examples

她们聊了一长一短的好多事。

Tāmen liáo le yīchángyīduǎn de hǎoduō shì.

They chatted about all sorts of things.

别在背后说人家一长一短的。

Bié zài bèihòu shuō rénjiā yīchángyīduǎn de.

Don't gossip about people behind their backs.

Tips

usage

一长一短 is often used in the phrase 说人家一长一短, meaning to gossip or talk about others' business. It can also literally describe things of different lengths.

Stroke Order

一 yī

长 cháng

短 duǎn