About
The character "缩", originating from its traditional form "縮", is structurally composed of the silk radical (糸) on the left, suggesting a connection to threads or fabric, and the component "宿" on the right, which primarily served a phonetic role. Its earliest meanings revolved around physical contraction, such as the shrinking or drawing together of materials, reflecting the behavior of textiles. Over centuries, the character's application expanded beyond tangible compression to encompass abstract reductions, including withdrawal in action, condensation in expression, and economic decrease, all while retaining the fundamental concept of diminishment or pulling inward.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这个气球慢慢缩小了。
他缩短了会议时间。
肌肉在寒冷时收缩。
他面对困难不退缩。
我们需要压缩文件大小。
经济衰退导致市场需求萎缩。
由于温度下降，金属管道略微收缩了。
在压力下，他不仅没有退缩，反而缩短了完成项目的时间。