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长短句
cháng duǎn jù
What does "长短句" mean in English?
irregular verse宋词多为长短句，灵活多变。
Ci poetry in the Song Dynasty is mostly irregular verse, flexible and varied.
How to use "长短句" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
literary
A form of classical Chinese poetry where lines vary in length, commonly used in ci poetry (词) and sanqu poetry (散曲).
这首词的长短句结构使得韵律更加灵动。
The irregular verse structure of this ci poem makes its rhythm more dynamic.
长短句 is a defining feature of ci poetry, contrasting with the uniform line lengths of classical shi poetry (诗经体).
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Key Feature of Ci Poetry
长短句 allows ci poets to match lyrics to musical tunes, creating a flexible yet rhythmic structure. Unlike classical shi poetry with strict 5- or 7-character lines, ci lines can vary in length (e.g., 3-11 characters) depending on the tune pattern.
Gold Rule
When to Use 长短句
Use 长短句 only when referring to the structural form of classical Chinese poetry (ci/sanqu). Do not use it for modern poetry unless discussing historical influences.
Word Origin
长 (cháng) = long, 短 (duǎn) = short, 句 (jù) = sentence/line. The term describes the varying line lengths characteristic of ci poetry, which emerged during the Tang and Song dynasties as a musical form.
Usage Notes
长短句 is primarily used in literary contexts to describe the structural form of ci poetry. Avoid using it to describe modern free verse unless discussing classical influences.
Word Breakdown
长
long
adjective短
short
adjective句
sentence/line (of poetry)
noun汉英词典