短小精悍

duǎnxiǎo-jīnghàn
idiom #41,364

Meanings

  1. 1 short in stature but fierce and capable (of a person)
  2. 2 concise and forceful (of writing or a speech)

Examples

HSK 6
Tā gèzi suī ǎi, què duǎnxiǎojīnghàn, fǎnyìng jí kuài.
He may be short, but he's compact and fierce, with lightning reactions.
HSK 7-9
Zhè piān shèlùn duǎnxiǎojīnghàn, yīzhēnjiànxiě.
This editorial is short, sharp, and goes straight to the heart of the matter.
HSK 7-9
Gōngsī xūyào yī piān duǎnxiǎojīnghàn de xuānchuán wén'àn.
The company needs a short, punchy piece of marketing copy.

Tips

history
From 《史记·游侠列传》, describing the knight-errant Guo Jie: 「解为人短小精悍」 - 'Guo Jie was short in build but sharp and tough.' The original applies to people; the 'concise writing' sense came later by analogy.
usage
For people, positive - small build + impressive ability. For writing, positive - brief but powerful. Never use it to mean merely 'short.'

Stroke Order

duǎn
xiǎo
jīng
hàn