长裙 (cháng qún) literally means 'long skirt' — 长 (cháng) means 'long' (in length), and 裙 (qún) means 'skirt'. Together, they refer specifically to a skirt that extends below the knee, often to mid-calf or ankle length. Unlike shorter skirts such as 短裙 (duǎn qún), 长裙 emphasizes modesty, elegance, or seasonal appropriateness (e.g., worn in cooler weather or formal settings).

This term is commonly used in fashion contexts, clothing descriptions, and daily conversation when discussing outfits. It can describe both casual cotton maxi skirts and formal silk or chiffon styles. While 长裙 is gender-neutral in grammar, it’s most frequently associated with women’s wear in contemporary usage. The word appears in shopping apps, fashion magazines, and social media captions — often paired with adjectives like 飘逸的 (piāoyì de, 'flowing') or 棉麻的 (mián má de, 'linen-cotton').