1.
long and short; length
The contrast between long and short; various lengths.
棒の長短を比べる。
To compare the lengths of sticks.
長短さまざまな鉛筆がある。
There are pencils of various lengths.
髪の長短で印象が変わる。
Your impression changes depending on hair length.
指の長短は人によって違う。
Finger lengths differ from person to person.
いろいろな長短の紐を使って、子供たちが工作をしていた。
The children were doing crafts using strings of various lengths.
2.
strengths and weaknesses; pros and cons
Good points and bad points; advantages and disadvantages.
どんな方法にも長短がある。
Every method has its pros and cons.
それぞれの案の長短を比べる。
To compare the pros and cons of each proposal.
人には長短がある。
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.
長短を見極めてから決めよう。
Let's decide after assessing the pros and cons.
どちらの方法にも長短があるので、状況に応じて使い分けた方がいい。
Since both methods have their pros and cons, it's better to use them according to the situation.
長短 combines 長 (long) and 短 (short). It describes either physical length differences or metaphorical strengths and weaknesses.
MEANINGS:
1. Physical: varying lengths (長短さまざまな = of various lengths)
2. Abstract: pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 長短がある: to have pros and cons
- 長短を比べる: to compare lengths / to weigh pros and cons
RELATED:
- 一長一短: having both merits and demerits (four-character idiom)
- 長所: strong point
- 短所: weak point