Meaning of 短处
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- shortcoming
- defect
- fault
- one's weak points
How to use 短处
短处 is a neutral noun for someone's weak points or shortcomings, often paired with 长处 (chángchù) strengths. It is common when talking about people's character or abilities. Example: 每个人都有自己的短处。(Měi gè rén dōu yǒu zìjǐ de duǎnchù.) Everyone has their own weak points.
短 (duǎn) means short and 处 (chù) means place or point, so 短处 is the place where you fall short. Think of it as your short spot, the opposite of 长处 (chángchù), your long or strong spot.
Common mistake: In 短处, 处 is read with fourth tone chù, not third tone chǔ as in 处理 (chǔlǐ). Learners also mix up 短处 with 坏处 (huàichù). 短处 is a weakness of a person, while 坏处 is the harm or downside of a thing or action.
短处 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
短 duǎn · short · 12 strokes
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处 chù · place · 5 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 短处.
| 到处 | dàochù | everywhere |
| 好处 | hǎochù | easy to get along with |
| 短信 | duǎnxìn | text message; SMS |
| 坏处 | huàichù | harm; troubles |
| 处理 | chǔlǐ | to handle; to deal with; to punish |
| 短裤 | duǎnkù | short pants; shorts |
| 短期 | duǎnqī | short-term |
| 长处 | chángchù | good aspects; strong points |
| 相处 | xiāngchǔ | to be in contact (with sb); to associate |
| 处于 | chǔyú | to be in (some state, position, or condition) |
| 缩短 | suōduǎn | to shorten; to reduce; to curtail |
| 处在 | chǔzài | to be situated at; to find oneself at |
Questions about 短处
What does 短处 mean?
短处 (duǎnchù) means "shortcoming; defect" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 短处?
短处 is made of 2 characters: 短 (12 strokes), 处 (5 strokes). That is 17 strokes in total.
Is 短处 an HSK word?
Yes. 短处 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 短处 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 短处 is written 短處.
What is the difference between 短处 and 缺点?
Both mean shortcomings and are often interchangeable. 缺点 (quēdiǎn) is more common in everyday speech and can describe objects too. 短处 is used mostly for people and is often contrasted with 长处.
Is there a common saying with 短处?
Yes. People say 取长补短 (qǔ cháng bǔ duǎn), meaning to learn from others' strengths to make up for your own weaknesses. Another phrase is 揭人短处 (jiē rén duǎnchù), to expose someone's faults, which is considered rude.