长短

長短

chángduǎn

noun HSK 6 #33,317

Meanings

Long and short — can refer to literal length or figurative disputes.

这两条绳子长短不一样。

Zhè liǎng tiáo shéngzi chángduǎn bùyī yàng.

These two ropes are different lengths.

别在背后说人长短。

Bié zài bèihòu shuō rén chángduǎn.

Don't gossip about people behind their backs.

万一有个长短怎么办？

Wànyī yǒu gè chángduǎn zěnmebàn?

What if something bad happens?

usage

说长短 means to gossip. 有个长短 is a euphemism for 'if something bad happens (death/injury).' These figurative meanings are very common in daily Chinese.

长 cháng

短 duǎn