长短

長短

chángduǎn

noun HSK 6 #33,317

Meanings

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

Zhè liǎng tiáo shéngzi cháng duǎn bù yīyàng.

These two ropes are different lengths.

Bié zài bèihòu shuō rén cháng duǎn.

Don't gossip about people behind their backs.

Wànyī yǒu gè cháng duǎn zěnme bàn?

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