短句 (duǎn jù) literally means 'short sentence' — composed of 短 (duǎn), meaning 'short' or 'brief', and 句 (jù), meaning 'sentence' or 'clause'. It refers to a concise, grammatically complete sentence typically containing few words and expressing a single clear idea. Unlike phrases or fragments, a 短句 has both a subject and predicate (or an implied subject in imperative or exclamatory contexts) and can stand alone.

This term is commonly used in Chinese language teaching, writing instruction, and linguistics to describe economical, impactful expressions — especially helpful for beginners learning sentence structure or for writers aiming for clarity and rhythm. You’ll encounter 短句 in textbooks, calligraphy practice, children’s books, and spoken communication where brevity is valued, such as giving quick instructions, making announcements, or composing social media posts.