短命(たんめい)

たんめい
noun, adjective (na)
short-lived, short life
1. short-lived, short life
Having a short lifespan. Used for people, animals, products, organizations, or anything that does not last long.
短命(たんめい)な政権(せいけん)だった。
It was a short-lived administration.
この虫(むし)は短命(たんめい)で、一週間(いっしゅうかん)しか生(い)きられない。
This insect is short-lived and can only live for one week.
短命(たんめい)に終(お)わった新商品(しんしょうひん)も少(すく)なくない。
There are quite a few new products that were short-lived.

Describes something with a short lifespan or duration. Can refer to people, animals, products, governments, or trends. Functions as both a noun and a na-adjective.

FORMATION:
短(たん) (short) + 命(めい) (life, fate).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 短命(たんめい)に終(お)わる: to be short-lived
  • 短命(たんめい)な政権(せいけん): short-lived administration
  • 短命(たんめい)内閣(ないかく): short-lived cabinet
  • 短命(たんめい)な商品(しょうひん): short-lived product

CONTRAST:

  • 長命(ちょうめい): long-lived (direct opposite)
  • 長寿(ちょうじゅ): longevity (more positive, celebratory nuance)
general
Added 2026.3.14 13:25 · Revised 2026.3.25 14:40
16500/16693_tanmei