缩

• Pinyin: suō
• Hanzi breakdown: 缩 = 糹(silk) + 宿 (lodge, phonetic)

Meaning

To shrink; to contract; to recoil. Describes reduction in size or withdrawal.

A versatile verb for physical shrinking (fabric, materials), pulling back (body parts), or figurative contraction (budgets, timelines). Also used colloquially for cowering or retreating.

Examples

1. 这种面料洗了会缩，买的时候要买大一号。 This fabric shrinks when washed, so buy one size larger.
2. 天太冷了，他缩着脖子快步往前走。 It was so cold that he walked quickly with his neck hunched.
3. 公司预算缩了三成，很多项目只能暂停。 The company budget was cut by 30%, so many projects had to be put on hold.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, business

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 他缩在角落里不敢说话。(He cowered in the corner, afraid to speak.)
• 工期缩了一个月。(The project timeline was shortened by a month.)

Don't Say

• 把'减少'说成'缩'在所有语境 (缩 implies physical shrinking — for abstract reductions, 减少 or 削减 may be more appropriate)

Origin & History

The character combines 糹 (silk) with 宿 (to lodge/shrink), originally referring to silk shrinking.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal