Definition

Adjective: * Short-limbed; having disproportionately short limbs in relation to the torso. This term describes a physical body type characterized by a short stature with five short parts: short neck, short torso, short arms, short thighs, and short legs. It is often used in contrast with "ngũ trường" (long-limbed).

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Người có tướng ngũ đoản thường trông chắc nịch. (People with a short-limbed physique often look stocky.)
  • So với vận động viên bóng rổ ngũ trường, anh ấy có dáng người ngũ đoản hơn. (Compared to the long-limbed basketball player, he has a more short-limbed build.)

Advanced Usage

• This term originates from physiognomy and traditional descriptive anatomy, focusing on body proportions. It is a formal, descriptive term rather than a common conversational one.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngũ trường (adj): Long-limbed; having disproportionately long limbs.
  • Những người mẫu thường có tạng người ngũ trường. (Models often have a long-limbed body type.)
• Lùn (adj): Short; dwarf. (Note: This is a more general and sometimes impolite term for short stature, lacking the specific focus on limb-to-torso proportion that "ngũ đoản" has.)
• Thấp bé (adj): Short and small. (A general descriptive phrase.)

Synonyms

• Bréviligne (adj): [French] Brachytypic; short-limbed. (This is the direct equivalent in the referenced Vietnamese-French dictionary.)
• Chân tay ngắn: Short-armed and short-legged. (A descriptive phrase with similar meaning.)

Antonyms

• Ngũ trường (adj): Long-limbed.
• Cao kều (adj): Tall and lanky.

1. Short-limbed