缩 (suō) - to shrink & to contract

缩Tone 1

suō ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

树檀

缩 · suō

to shrink;

to contract;

to reduce;

to withdraw;

to pull back;

to economize.

to shrinkto contractto reduce

Usage highlights

to shrinkto contractto reduceto withdrawto cowershrinkage

Synonyms

  • 收— to take in; to collect; to gather
  • 减— to reduce; to decrease; to subtract
  • 退— to retreat; to withdraw; to move back

Antonyms

  • 伸— to stretch; to extend; to straighten
  • 扩— to expand; to enlarge; to amplify
  • 张— to open up; to spread; to stretch

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The sweater shrank after washing (毛衣缩水).
  • He withdrew his hand quickly (他缩回手).
  • We need to reduce expenses (我们需要缩减开支).
  • The company is downsizing (公司在缩编).

Collocations

  • to shrink(收缩)
  • to contract(缩小)
  • to reduce(缩减)
  • to withdraw(缩回)
  • to cower(退缩)
  • shrinkage(缩水)

Idioms

  • To withdraw into one's shell(缩手缩脚)
  • To cower and not dare to come forward(畏缩不前)
  • To draw back one's head and shrink one's neck(缩头缩脑)
  • To economize on food and expenses(节衣缩食)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, 'shrinking back' (退缩) is often viewed negatively, associated with timidity or lack of courage.
  • The character appears in economic contexts like 'downsizing' (缩编) and 'reducing expenses' (缩减开支), reflecting practical concerns.
  • In traditional medicine or health contexts, 'contraction' (收缩) might refer to muscles or blood vessels.

FAQ