短～
たん～ · tan～ · JLPT N2 · noun
short
短 means short; put it in front of a word: 短距離 = short distance (tan-kyori)
短～ works as a prefix that adds the meaning short. 短時間 = short time (tan-jikan). 短編 = short piece, as in a short story (tan-pen).
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.