简短
jiǎn duǎn · HSK 7
brief
✂️ 简短 = 简 simple/brief + 短 short = brief, short in duration
简 carries simple or concise, 短 means short. Together they describe something brief: a short speech, a quick note. 短 also shows up in 短信 short-message text.
短 — arrow 矢 + bean/vessel 豆
Originally a phono-semantic compound: 矢 (arrow) gives the meaning, since arrows were used as a short measuring stick, while 豆 (an ancient stemmed vessel) supplied the sound. From 'short in length' the meaning broadened to 'short' in time, stature, or quality.