Shortness and brevity with 短
The kanji 短 means short in physical length and duration, as well as lacking.
The standard readings are タン and みじかい, written 短い with い as okurigana.
Etymology
This kanji isa phono-semantic compound comprised of 矢 (arrow) as the semantic component and 豆 as the phonetic component (タン).
Length
短針 (Hour hand)
短針 means the short hand of a clock, which shows the hour.
It combines 短 (short) with 針 (pointer) to show the short pointing hand.
Asuka Jr. is tasked with guarding a jeweled tiara, which Saint Tail has stated her intention to steal. The owner tells Asuka Jr. it’s been hidden behind the short hand on a clock tower, so Asuka Jr. waits below the face of the clock for Saint Tail’s arrival. He tells the owner that Saint Tail will likely arrive precisely at 6 o’clock.
- アスカ Jr.:
- 「ここから短針に手がとどくのは六時だけです」
- “The hour hand is only within reach from here at six o'clock.”
- 「ほかの時間と針からティアラを盗みだすのは不可能なんですよ」
- “At any other time, it would be impossible to steal the tiara from the hand, you see.”
最短 (Shortest)
最短 means shortest in distance or duration.
It combines 最 (most) with 短 (short) to show the shortest distance or duration.
Kumada takes a trip to the mountain, in hope that the bear living in his apartment will follow him there, then he can run away and leave the bear stranded behind. He has with him his employee Sanami, an expert on mountains, to act as a guide. During their hike, Sanami asks Kumada why he’s placing beans on the ground as they go.
- 熊田:
- 「帰りはこの豆を頼りに最短ルートで駆け下りる」
- “On the way back, I'll use these beans as a guide and run down by the shortest route.”
- 「そのための印だ」
- “That's what the markers are for.”
- 砂波:
- 「普通に下山しましょうよ」
- “Let's just go down the mountain normally.”
Temperament
短気 (Short temper)
短気 means a quick temper or impatience. As a な-adjective, it describes someone who gets angry or loses patience easily.
It combines 短 (short) with 気 (spirit) to show a temper with a short fuse.
Simon and Nicola stop at a pub for dinner. Their dinner conversation turns to Simon explaining the various temperaments of different tribes in the demon world.
- サイモン:
- 「あのウロコがあって牙が鋭いのがガブール族さ」
- “Those ones with scales and sharp fangs are the Gabool tribe.”
- 「短気で豪快で声がでかい」
- “They're short-tempered, boisterous, and loud.”
- ガブールⒶ:
- 「俺のだ！！」
- “It's mine!!”
- ガブールⒷ:
- 「うるせえ」
- “Shut up.”