長短
ちょうたん · choutan · JLPT N2 · noun
+-
📏 長 (long) + 短 (short) = 長短, the two opposites combined to mean length
長 means long and 短 means short. Put together, they name the overall measure of how long or short something is, which is its length.
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.