Chinese word

伸缩

Pronunciation

Pinyinshēn suō

Meaning

  • verbstretch and contract

Example

这条绳子会伸缩，很方便收纳。zhè tiáo shéng zi huì shēn suō hěn fāng biàn shōu nà

This rope stretches and contracts, so it is easy to store.

Illustration for 伸缩 (stretch and contract)

More examples

这件外套的袖口可以伸缩，穿着更舒适。zhè jiàn wài tào de xiù kǒu ké yǐ shēn suō chuān zhe gèng shū shì

The cuffs on this jacket can stretch and contract, making it more comfortable to wear.

Core concept

The ability of an object to lengthen and shorten as its form shifts.

Common phrases

  • 会伸缩huì shēn suō

    can stretch and contract

  • 可以伸缩ké yǐ shēn suō

    can stretch and contract

  • 伸缩自如shēn suō zì rú

    stretch and contract freely

Similar words

拉伸lā shēn: Making an object longer by pulling it.
收缩shōu suō: Growing shorter or smaller in length or volume.

Definition in Chinese

表示物体在拉长与收缩之间变化的动作或特性，既指变长也指变短，也可指具有这种可变性biǎo shì wù tǐ zài lā cháng yǔ shōu suō zhī jiān biàn huà de dòng zuò huò tè xìng jì zhǐ biàn cháng yě zhǐ biàn duǎn yě kě zhǐ jù yǒu zhè zhǒng kě biàn xìng

Word origin

The compound 伸缩 (shēnsuō, "stretch and contract") joins 伸 (shēn, "extend") with 缩 (suō, "contract") to name a change that can move both outward and inward.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often treat stretch as one-way lengthening, but this Chinese word keeps the return toward a shorter form in view.

Opposites

Related words

  • 伸缩性shēn suō xìngelasticitynoun
  • 伸缩装置shēn suō zhuāng zhìtelescoping devicenoun

Word lists with this word