Definition

1. Adjective (Literary, Archaic):
   • Short-lived; brief in duration; ephemeral: Describes something that exists or lasts for only a short period of time. This term is primarily found in classical or literary Vietnamese contexts.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Hạnh phúc ấy thật đoản kì. (That happiness was truly short-lived.)
  • Đời người đoản kì như giấc mộng. (Human life is as brief as a dream.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in poetic, philosophical, or reflective contexts to comment on the transient nature of life, beauty, joy, or worldly affairs.

Variants and Related Words

• Đoản mệnh (adj): short-lived; dying young (often referring to lifespan).
• Ngắn ngủi (adj): short, brief (the modern and more common synonym).

Synonyms

• Ephemeral: Lasting for a very short time.
• Transient: Lasting only for a short period; impermanent.
• Fleeting: Lasting for a very short time.

Related Idioms

• Phù thế đoản kì: (Literary) The mundane world is transient; life is short and illusory.
  • Càng suy ngẫm, càng thấy cuộc đời phù thế đoản kì. (The more one reflects, the more one sees life as transient and illusory.)