The words 短(duǎn) and 矮(ǎi) can both be translated as "short" in English.
But that's where the similarity ends...
So how do you know when to say 短(duǎn) and when to say 矮(ǎi)?
In this video we take a look at some of the key differences between them and learn how to use them correctly!
The key differences between the commonly used Chinese words "矮 ǎi" and "短 duǎn"(A summary of the video above)
矮 (ǎi) : short or low
We use “矮 ǎi” to describe the height of someone or something. “矮 ǎi” is the opposite of “高 gāo”(tall).
Examples：
tā hěn ǎi, zhǐ yǒu 80 lí mǐ.
他很矮，只有80厘米。
He is very short, only 80 cm tall.
wǒ mèi mei bǐ wǒ ǎi.
我妹妹比我矮。
My younger sister is shorter than me.
wǒ shì quán bān zuì ǎi de，wǒ yī diǎn dōu bù gāo.
我是全班最矮的，我一点都不高。
I'm the shortest in the class, and I'm not tall at all.
cháng jǐng lù hěn gāo，mǎ yǐ hěn ǎi.
长颈鹿很高，蚂蚁很矮。
Giraffes are tall and ants are short.
ǎi qiánɡ
矮墙
a low wall
ǎi zhuō zi
矮桌子
a low table
ǎi fáng zi
矮房子
a low house
ǎi shā fā
矮沙发
a low sofa
短(duǎn) ：short or brief
We don’t use "短 duǎn" to talk about height. Instead we use it to describe the length of something. "短 duǎn" is the opposite of "长 cháng" (long).
Examples：
zhè tiáo kù zi hěn duǎn.
这条裤子很短。
These pants are very short.
wǒ měi tiān dōu kàn duǎn shì pín.
我每天都看短视频。
I watch short videos every day.
nǐ xǐ huan duǎn tóu fa ma？
你喜欢短头发吗？
Do you like short hair?
wǒ bù xǐ huan duǎn tóu fa. wǒ xǐ huan cháng tóu fa
我不喜欢短头发。我喜欢长头发。
I don't like short hair. I like long hair.
短 (duǎn) can also be used to talk about time.
Examples：
duǎn shí jiān
短时间
a brief time / shortly
wǒ zài duǎn shí jiān nèi huí fù nǐ de yóu jiàn.
我在短时间内回复你的邮件。
I will reply to your email shortly.
duǎn qī
短期
short term
zhè shì tā de duǎn qī jì huà.
这是他的短期计划。
This is his short term plan.
jiǎn duǎn jiè shào
简短介绍
a brief introduction
nǐ kě yǐ zuò yī gè jiǎn duǎn jiè shào ma？
你可以做一个简短介绍吗？
Can you give a brief introduction?
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