短期

• Pinyin: duǎn qī
• Hanzi breakdown: 短 (short) + 期 (period/term)

Meaning

Short-term; short period. A relatively brief span of time.

Often used as a modifier before nouns to describe plans, goals, training, or investments that cover a short time frame. Contrasts with 长期 (long-term). Common in business, education, and planning contexts.

Examples

1. 这只是一个短期的计划。 This is only a short-term plan.
2. 公司提供了一个短期培训课程。 The company offered a short-term training course.
3. 短期内我们很难看到明显的效果。 It is hard to see obvious results in the short term.

Usage Guide

Context: business, planning, education

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 这是一个短期目标。(This is a short-term goal.)
• 他报名参加了一个短期的中文课程。(He signed up for a short-term Chinese course.)

Don't Say

• 我短期地工作 (Don't use 短期 as an adverb with 地 — say 短期内 for 'in the short term' or use it as an adjective before a noun)

Origin & History

Compound of 短 (short) and 期 (period, term), literally 'short-period.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal