Chinese word

缩影

Pronunciation

Pinyinsuō yǐng

Meaning

  • nounmicrocosm

Example

这些照片是我们城市变化的缩影。zhè xiē zhào piān shì wǒ men chéng shì biàn huà de suō yǐng

These photos are a microcosm of the changes in our city.

Illustration for 缩影 (microcosm)

More examples

旧工厂改造后，成为城市记忆的缩影。jiù gōng chǎng gǎi zào hòu chéng wéi chéng shì jì yì de suō yǐng

After renovation, the old factory became a microcosm of the city's memory.

Core concept

A small, concrete case that lets a much larger reality be seen in one frame.

Common phrases

  • 城市的缩影chéng shì de suō yǐng

    microcosm of the city

  • 生活的缩影shēng huó de suō yǐng

    microcosm of life

Similar words

代表dài biǎo: A person or thing chosen to show the typical features of a group or larger subject.
典型diǎn xíng: An example in which the features of a kind or trend appear especially clearly.
象征xiàng zhēng: A sign or event that expresses a particular meaning or quality through something else.
写照xiě zhào: A vivid portrayal or example that brings a person or thing's state and features to life.

Definition in Chinese

指在小范围内反映整体状况或典型特征的事物、事例或影像，常用来象征或概括较大的事物。zhǐ zài xiǎo fàn wéi nèi fǎn yìng zhéng tǐ zhuàng kuàng huò diǎn xíng tè zhēng de shì wù shì lì huò yǐng xiàng cháng yòng lái xiàng zhēng huò gài kuò jiào dà de shì wù

Word origin

缩 (suō, "shrink") + 影 (yǐng, "image") literally suggests a reduced image, which develops into a small representation of a larger whole.

Usage tips

  • This noun has a formal, written tone and often appears in discussions of cities, society, history, and other large subjects rather than in casual chat.

Opposites

  • 全貌quán màowhole picturenoun

Word lists with this word