短裤

• Pinyin: duǎn kù
• Hanzi breakdown: 短 (short) + 裤 (trousers/pants)

Meaning

Shorts; short trousers. Casual bottoms that end above the knee.

Everyday clothing item common in summer. In China, shorts are considered too casual for many workplaces and formal occasions. Measure word: 条 (tiáo).

Examples

1. 夏天太热了，我喜欢穿短裤。 It's too hot in summer; I like wearing shorts.
2. 他买了一条新的运动短裤。 He bought a new pair of sports shorts.
3. 去面试的时候不要穿短裤。 Don't wear shorts when going for a job interview.

Usage Guide

Context: clothing, everyday, sports

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 今天很热，穿短裤比较凉快。(It's hot today; wearing shorts is cooler.)
• 你的短裤在哪里买的？(Where did you buy your shorts?)

Don't Say

• 一个短裤 (Don't use 个 as the measure word — use 条: 一条短裤)

Origin & History

Compound of 短 (short) and 裤 (trousers/pants), literally 'short-trousers.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal