Chinese word

收缩

Pronunciation

Pinyinshōu suō

Meaning

  • verbshrink

Example

这件衣服洗了会收缩。zhè jiàn yī fú xǐ le huì shōu suō

This piece of clothing will shrink when washed.

Illustration for 收缩 (shrink)

More examples

寒冷使血管收缩，血压上升。hán lěng shǐ xuè guǎn shōu suō xuè yā shàng shēng

Cold causes blood vessels to constrict, raising blood pressure.

Core concept

Movement inward makes a physical thing, range, or organized activity smaller.

Common phrases

  • 衣服收缩yī fú shōu suō

    clothes shrink

  • 肌肉收缩jī ròu shōu suō

    muscles contract

  • 血管收缩xuè guǎn shōu suō

    blood vessels constrict

Similar words

缩小suō xiǎo: Reduce the size, range, or scope of something.
减少jián shǎo: Become smaller in quantity or lower in degree.
缩减suō jiǎn: Cut back the scale or quantity of something.
萎缩wěi suō: Gradually weaken and become smaller in strength, ability, or scale.

Definition in Chinese

在抽象用法上指范围、规模、数量等向内减少、变得更小，用于表示活动或系统的缩减。zài chōu xiàng yòng fǎ shàng zhǐ fàn wéi guī mó shù liàng děng xiàng nèi jián shǎo biàn de gèng xiǎo yòng yú biǎo shì huó dòng huò xì tǒng de suō jiǎn

Word origin

The word joins 收 (shōu, "draw in") with 缩 (suō, "contract"), linking the image of pulling inward with the result of becoming smaller.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 收缩 (shōusuō, "contract") can describe clothing after washing, while formal reports also use it for a market, service, or other activity that is becoming smaller.

Other meanings

  • reduceverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 收缩率shōu suō lǜshrinkage ratenoun
  • 收缩性shōu suō xìngshrinkabilitynoun

Word lists with this word