‘短裙’ (duǎn qún) literally means ‘short skirt’ — combining 短 (duǎn), meaning ‘short’, and 裙 (qún), meaning ‘skirt’. It refers specifically to a skirt that ends well above the knee, commonly known in English as a ‘mini skirt’. Unlike generic terms like ‘裙子’ (qúnzi, ‘skirt’), 短裙 emphasizes length as its defining feature, making it a descriptive compound noun used in fashion, casual wear, and everyday descriptions.

This word is neutral in register and appears frequently in clothing stores, fashion magazines, and conversations about personal style. It’s often modified by adjectives (e.g., 红色短裙 ‘red mini skirt’) or quantifiers (e.g., 一条短裙 ‘a mini skirt’). While not inherently formal or informal, it carries no slang or regional connotations and is understood across all Mandarin-speaking regions.