Esta página en tu idioma

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A1 verb 7 min de lectura

缩短

suoduan

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos 缩短 en 30 segundos

Explicación 缩短 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should think of '缩短' (suōduǎn) as a simple way to say 'make short'. You will mostly use it for time and very simple physical things. For example, if a teacher says, 'We will shorten the class by ten minutes,' they would use this word. It is a combination of 'suo' (meaning shrink) and 'duan' (meaning short). At this stage, just remember the basic pattern: 'Subject + 缩短 + Time'. It is very useful for basic travel talk, like saying a new train makes the trip shorter. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just focus on the idea of making a length or a duration less than it was before. It is a very helpful word for planning and schedules.

At the A2 level, you can start using '缩短' (suōduǎn) with more variety. You might talk about '缩短距离' (shortening the distance) when discussing travel or '缩短时间' (shortening time) for daily tasks. You should also learn to use the particle '了' (le) with it, as in '缩短了' (has shortened). This allows you to describe changes that have already happened. For instance, 'This bridge shortened my commute' (这座桥缩短了我的通勤时间). You are also becoming aware that it is a bit more formal than just saying '变短' (become short). Use '缩短' when you want to sound more purposeful in your actions, like when you are trying to be more efficient in your studies or work.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

By B1, you should be comfortable using '缩短' (suōduǎn) in professional and academic contexts. You will see it frequently in articles about technology, economics, and social issues. For example, '缩短贫富差距' (shortening/narrowing the gap between rich and poor) is a common phrase in social discussions. You should also be able to use it with resultative complements like '缩短到' (shortened to). For example, 'The flight time was shortened to 3 hours' (飞行时间缩短到3小时). You should also distinguish it clearly from '缩小' (suōxiǎo), which is for size/scale, and '减少' (jiǎnshǎo), which is for quantity. At this level, '缩短' is a key tool for discussing efficiency and optimization in various fields.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the B2 level, '缩短' (suōduǎn) is used to express more complex relationships and abstract concepts. You might use it in a debate about '缩短工作周' (shortening the work week) or '缩短产品生命周期' (shortening the product life cycle). You should be able to integrate it into complex sentences with '不仅...而且...' (not only... but also...) or '由于...因此...' (due to... therefore...). You will also notice its use in idioms or more formal four-character constructions in literature or news. Your understanding of the word should now include its negative potential, such as '缩短寿命' (shortening lifespan), and you should be able to use it accurately in written reports to describe data trends where a duration or distance has been reduced.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the C1 level, your use of '缩短' (suōduǎn) should be nuanced and precise. You understand its role in formal rhetoric and can use it to describe subtle shifts in perception, such as '缩短心理距离' (shortening the psychological distance between people). You are expected to use it in sophisticated written work, perhaps discussing how globalization 'shortens' the world. You should also be familiar with its synonyms like '压缩' (yāsuō) or '精简' (jīngjiǎn) and know exactly when '缩短' is the most appropriate choice based on the register of the conversation. You can use it to critique social policies or technical specifications with high accuracy, ensuring that the object of the verb always aligns with the linear or temporal nature of the word.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the C2 level, '缩短' (suōduǎn) is a tool for elegant and concise expression. You can use it in literary analysis, philosophical discourse, or high-level technical writing. You might explore how a certain writing style 'shortens' the narrative pace or how a specific scientific phenomenon 'shortens' the wavelength of light in a particular medium. You have a complete grasp of its historical etymology and how it functions within the broader system of Chinese verbs of change. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, and you can use the word to create poetic imagery or precise technical definitions. At this stage, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a flexible component of your high-level linguistic repertoire.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

缩短 en 30 segundos

缩短 (suōduǎn) means 'to shorten' and is used for time, distance, and physical length in various contexts.
It is a transitive verb, often appearing in the 'Subject + 缩短 + Object' structure with '了'.
Common collocations include shortening time (时间), distance (距离), and gaps (差距) between things or groups.
It differs from '减少' (reduce quantity) and '缩小' (shrink size/scale) by focusing on linear or temporal measures.

The Chinese verb 缩短 (suōduǎn) is a foundational term used to describe the act of making something shorter in length, duration, or distance. It is composed of two characters: 缩 (suō), which means to shrink, contract, or withdraw, and 短 (duǎn), which simply means short. When combined, they function as a transitive verb that is indispensable in both daily conversation and formal writing. Whether you are talking about the physical shortening of a piece of clothing, the reduction of time required for a task, or the narrowing of a geographical or social gap, 缩短 is the primary word of choice.

Physical Dimension: When referring to physical objects, it implies a reduction in linear measurement. For example, a tailor might shorten a pair of trousers or a construction project might shorten a path.

这条新路缩短了两城之间的距离。(This new road shortened the distance between the two cities.)

Temporal Dimension: This is perhaps the most common usage in modern productivity-focused environments. It refers to decreasing the time spent on a meeting, a journey, or a work process.

我们需要想办法缩短生产周期。(We need to find a way to shorten the production cycle.)

The word is highly versatile because it bridges the gap between the concrete and the abstract. You can shorten a rope (concrete) and you can also shorten the gap between the rich and the poor (abstract). In technological contexts, you will often hear about how high-speed internet 'shortens the distance' between people across the globe. It carries a generally positive connotation when it refers to efficiency or overcoming obstacles, though it can be neutral if it simply describes a physical change. Understanding 缩短 is essential for any learner moving into the intermediate level because it appears frequently in news reports, business discussions, and academic texts regarding development and progress.

Using 缩短 (suōduǎn) correctly requires understanding its role as a transitive verb. The basic structure is Subject + 缩短 + Object. The object is almost always a noun representing a measure of time, distance, or length. Unlike some verbs that require complex particles, 缩短 is relatively straightforward but often takes aspects like 了 (le) to indicate a completed action or 可以 (kěyǐ) to indicate potential.

Quantifying the Reduction: When you want to specify exactly how much something was shortened, use the structure: 缩短了 + [Amount]. For example, 'shortened by two hours' is 缩短了两个小时.

通过改进技术，我们把工期缩短了三天。(By improving technology, we shortened the project duration by three days.)

Common Abstract Objects: Common objects include 差距 (chājù - gap), 距离 (jùlí - distance), 时间 (shíjiān - time), and 寿命 (shòumìng - lifespan). Note that shortening a lifespan is usually negative.

吸烟会缩短人的寿命。(Smoking will shorten a person's lifespan.)

In more advanced usage, 缩短 can appear in passive constructions using 被 (bèi), though it is less common than the active form. For instance, 'The distance was shortened by the new bridge' (距离被新大桥缩短了). It is also frequently found in resultative complements. If you want to say something has 'become short' through the process of shortening, you can say 缩短到 (shorten to) or 缩短为 (shorten as). This level of precision is vital when discussing data or specific measurements in a report. Always remember that 缩短 implies an intentional or causal reduction, not just a random occurrence of something being short.

The word 缩短 (suōduǎn) is a staple of news broadcasts and professional environments in China. If you are watching a news segment about infrastructure, you will almost certainly hear it used in the context of high-speed rail. China’s extensive high-speed rail network is often praised for how it 缩短 the travel time between major hubs like Beijing and Shanghai. It creates a sense of the 'one-hour economic circle' (一小时经济圈), a concept that relies heavily on the verb 缩短 to explain its benefits to the public.

News and Infrastructure: Journalists use it to describe the impact of new tunnels, bridges, and flights on national connectivity.

高铁的开通大大缩短了城乡之间的距离。(The opening of the high-speed rail has greatly shortened the distance between urban and rural areas.)

Business and Tech: In tech company meetings, you'll hear it regarding 'latency' (延迟) or 'response time' (响应时间).

我们需要缩短软件的加载时间。(We need to shorten the loading time of the software.)

In everyday life, you might hear it at a clothing store when requesting alterations, though 改短 (gǎiduǎn) is also common there. However, 缩短 remains the more formal and comprehensive term. In healthcare, doctors might talk about 缩短康复期 (shortening the recovery period). In education, teachers might discuss 缩短课时 (shortening class hours). Because it is a HSK/CEFR level word that appears early, it serves as a gateway to understanding more complex discussions about efficiency and progress in Chinese society. Listen for it whenever someone is talking about making a process 'faster' or 'tighter'.

While 缩短 (suōduǎn) is a versatile word, English speakers often misapply it due to the nuances of the word 'shorten'. One of the most common errors is using 缩短 when 减少 (jiǎnshǎo) (to reduce/decrease) is more appropriate. 缩短 specifically refers to the linear or temporal dimension—making something 'shorter'. 减少 refers to quantity—making something 'fewer' or 'less'. For example, you 'shorten' a meeting (缩短会议), but you 'reduce' the number of people (减少人数).

Confusion with 'Reduce': Mistake: 缩短成本 (Shorten costs). Correct: 降低成本 (Lower costs) or 减少开支 (Reduce spending).

错误：我们要缩短员工的数量。(Wrong: We want to shorten the number of employees.)

Confusion with 'Shrink': Another mistake is using it for 3D volume. For shrinking a balloon or a market, use 缩小 (suōxiǎo) instead of 缩短.

正确：由于经济危机，市场规模缩小了。(Correct: Due to the economic crisis, the market scale shrunk.)

Another subtle mistake involves the difference between 缩短 and 变短 (biàn duǎn). 缩短 is an action often performed by an agent (someone shortens something), whereas 变短 is often a natural or passive change (days getting shorter in winter). While you can say 'The days are shortening' (白天在缩短), it sounds more like a scientific observation, whereas '白天变短了' sounds more natural in daily life. Finally, avoid using 缩短 for height. If a person gets shorter (due to age), we say 变矮 (biàn ǎi), never 缩短. Keeping these distinctions in mind will prevent 'Chinglish' errors and help you sound like a native speaker.

In Chinese, there are several words that relate to the concept of making things smaller or shorter. Choosing the right one depends on the dimension and the context. While 缩短 (suōduǎn) is the general term for length and time, its synonyms offer more specific nuances for different scenarios.

缩短 vs. 缩小 (suōxiǎo): 缩短 is 1D (length/time), while 缩小 is 2D/3D (area/scale/volume). You shorten a road (缩短), but you shrink a photo or a gap in status (缩小).

缩短 vs. 压缩 (yāsuō): 压缩 means 'to compress'. It implies pressure or force. You compress a file (压缩文件) or compress a schedule to the absolute limit. 缩短 is more neutral.

缩短 vs. 删减 (shānjiǎn): 删减 means to shorten by cutting out parts (delete and reduce). This is specifically used for texts, movies, or speeches. If a movie is too long, the director will 删减 scenes to 缩短 the runtime.

When choosing between these, ask yourself: 'Am I talking about a line/time (缩短), an area/size (缩小), or am I cutting things out (删减)?' For example, if you are editing a video, you might 删减内容 (delete content) in order to 缩短时长 (shorten the duration). In a business context, you might 压缩开支 (compress/squeeze expenses) to survive a lean month. Understanding these subtle differences allows you to express yourself with much higher precision and avoid the repetitive use of basic verbs.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The character '缩' contains the silk radical (纟), suggesting that the word's origins are related to the way textiles behave when treated or pulled.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /swɔː dʊæn/

US /swɔ dʊæn/

The stress is balanced on both syllables, with a slight emphasis on the second syllable 'duǎn'.

Rima con

琐 (suǒ) 所 (suǒ) 短 (duǎn) 管 (guǎn) 满 (mǎn) 暖 (nuǎn) 碗 (wǎn) 板 (bǎn)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'suo' as 'soo-oh' (two syllables) instead of one smooth glide.
Failing to use the third tone (low dip) on 'duǎn'.
Mixing up the 'uo' and 'ou' sounds in 'suo'.
Pronouncing 'duan' like 'do-an' instead of 'dwahn'.
Not aspirating or rounding the initial 's' sound in 'suo' correctly.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

The characters are relatively simple and common in newspapers.

Escritura 3/5

Writing '缩' (suō) requires attention to the silk radical and the right-hand component.

Expresión oral 2/5

Easy to pronounce if you master the 'uo' glide and the third tone.

Escucha 2/5

Distinctive sound that is easy to recognize in context.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

长 (long) 短 (short) 时间 (time) 距离 (distance) 变 (change)

Aprende después

延长 (extend) 缩小 (shrink) 减少 (reduce) 增加 (increase) 差距 (gap)

Avanzado

压缩 (compress) 精简 (streamline) 删减 (cut/abridge) 收缩 (contract)

Gramática que debes saber

Resultative Complements (到/为)

时间缩短到了一小时。

The '把' Construction

请把这篇文章缩短。

Passive Voice with '被'

假期被公司缩短了。

Using '了' for Completed Change

距离已经缩短了。

Adverbial Modification (大大/尽量)

我们要尽量缩短开会时间。

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

Ejemplos por nivel

我们要缩短时间。

We need to shorten the time.

Subject + Verb + Object.

请缩短这根绳子。

Please shorten this rope.

Imperative sentence using '请'.

课的时间缩短了。

The class time has been shortened.

Use of '了' to indicate change of state.

这条路缩短了距离。

This road shortened the distance.

Simple past action.

我可以缩短我的报告吗？

Can I shorten my report?

Using '可以' for permission.

医生说要缩短工作时间。

The doctor said to shorten work hours.

Indirect speech.

这个电影太长了，要缩短。

This movie is too long, it needs to be shortened.

Adjective '长' followed by the need for action.

我们要缩短等人的时间。

We need to shorten the waiting time.

Verb phrase as an object.

新桥缩短了我们的车程。

The new bridge shortened our car journey.

Subject + Verb + 了 + Possessive + Object.

你可以把裤子缩短一点吗？

Can you shorten the pants a bit?

The '把' construction for disposal.

这种方法缩短了学习时间。

This method shortened the study time.

Specific subject '方法'.

我们把会议缩短到半小时。

We shortened the meeting to half an hour.

Using '缩短到' to indicate a specific result.

为了缩短距离，他走了近路。

To shorten the distance, he took a shortcut.

Purpose clause with '为了'.

科技缩短了人与人的距离。

Technology shortened the distance between people.

Abstract object '距离'.

这个假期被缩短了两天。

This holiday was shortened by two days.

Passive voice with '被'.

我们需要缩短生产的过程。

We need to shorten the production process.

Formal object '过程'.

政府努力缩短贫富差距。

The government is working hard to narrow the wealth gap.

Common collocation '缩短差距'.

这种新药能缩短感冒的时间。

This new medicine can shorten the duration of a cold.

Potential '能' with a specific duration.

公司决定缩短员工的加班时间。

The company decided to shorten employees' overtime.

Decision verb '决定' + verb phrase.

通过优化，程序的运行时间缩短了。

Through optimization, the program's runtime has shortened.

Prepositional phrase '通过...'.

为了竞争，他们必须缩短交货期。

To compete, they must shorten the delivery period.

Business terminology '交货期'.

缩短工期会增加成本吗？

Will shortening the project period increase the cost?

Verb phrase as a subject.

新的高速公路缩短了两地的时空距离。

The new highway shortened the space-time distance between the two places.

Sophisticated object '时空距离'.

我们需要缩短回答客户的时间。

We need to shorten the time it takes to answer customers.

Complex object phrase.

全球化缩短了世界各地的联系时间。

Globalization has shortened the connection time between different parts of the world.

Abstract concept '全球化' as subject.

长期压力会缩短端粒，从而缩短寿命。

Long-term stress can shorten telomeres, thereby shortening lifespan.

Scientific context with '从而' (thereby).

为了提高效率，企业正在缩短垂直管理层级。

To improve efficiency, enterprises are shortening vertical management layers.

Management terminology.

该政策旨在缩短城乡发展的教育差距。

The policy aims to shorten the educational gap in urban-rural development.

Formal phrase '旨在' (aims to).

自动化技术的应用大大缩短了生产周期。

The application of automation technology has greatly shortened the production cycle.

Noun phrase as subject.

导演不得不缩短片长以符合排片要求。

The director had to shorten the film length to meet scheduling requirements.

Modal verb '不得不' (have to).

缩短战线是目前最明智的战略选择。

Shortening the front line is the wisest strategic choice at present.

Metaphorical/Military usage.

电子书缩短了读者与作者之间的距离。

E-books have shortened the distance between readers and authors.

Cultural impact context.

这种叙事手法缩短了读者与角色间的心理距离。

This narrative technique shortens the psychological distance between the reader and the characters.

Literary analysis context.

量子纠缠理论似乎暗示了缩短空间跨度的可能性。

Quantum entanglement theory seems to imply the possibility of shortening spatial spans.

Advanced scientific discourse.

该城市通过缩短通勤半径来提升居民幸福感。

The city improves resident well-being by shortening the commute radius.

Urban planning terminology.

在快节奏的社会，人们不断尝试缩短一切事物的反馈周期。

In a fast-paced society, people constantly try to shorten the feedback cycle of everything.

Sociological observation.

缩短审美距离有时会导致艺术作品失去神秘感。

Shortening the aesthetic distance can sometimes lead to an artwork losing its sense of mystery.

Aesthetic/Philosophical context.

技术迭代缩短了知识陈旧的速度。

Technological iteration has shortened the speed of knowledge obsolescence.

High-level abstract concepts.

为了应对危机，银行缩短了贷款审批的流程。

To deal with the crisis, the bank shortened the loan approval process.

Financial context.

这种翻译方式缩短了不同文化间的语义鸿沟。

This translation method shortens the semantic chasm between different cultures.

Linguistic context.

诗人通过精简意象，有效地缩短了抒情的主客体间距。

By streamlining imagery, the poet effectively shortens the gap between the lyrical subject and object.

High-level literary criticism.

在宏观经济调控下，缩短经济周期波动是首要任务。

Under macroeconomic regulation, shortening the fluctuations of the economic cycle is the primary task.

Macroeconomic terminology.

此番修订旨在缩短法律条款与社会现实间的脱节。

This revision aims to shorten the disconnect between legal clauses and social reality.

Legal and formal register.

现代物理学研究如何缩短激光脉冲的持续时间。

Modern physics researches how to shorten the duration of laser pulses.

Technical scientific research.

缩短行政审批时限是建设服务型政府的关键。

Shortening the time limit for administrative approval is key to building a service-oriented government.

Political discourse.

数字孪生技术可以缩短物理实体与虚拟模型间的同步时差。

Digital twin technology can shorten the synchronization time lag between physical entities and virtual models.

Cutting-edge tech terminology.

作者有意缩短章节篇幅，以营造一种急促的叙事张力。

The author intentionally shortens the length of chapters to create a sense of urgent narrative tension.

Narratology context.

缩短权力距离有助于提升组织的内部沟通效率。

Shortening power distance helps improve the internal communication efficiency of an organization.

Organizational psychology.

Colocaciones comunes

缩短时间

缩短距离

缩短差距

缩短工期

缩短寿命

缩短过程

缩短战线

缩短篇幅

缩短差额

缩短周期

Frases Comunes

缩短距离

— To shorten the distance between two points or two groups of people.

网络缩短了我们之间的距离。

缩短时间

— To reduce the duration of an event or task.

请尽量缩短发言时间。

缩短差距

— To narrow the gap between different levels or standards.

我们要缩短与世界先进水平的差距。

缩短工期

— To shorten the time required for a construction or project.

工程师们正在想办法缩短工期。

缩短寿命

— To decrease the expected lifespan of a person or object.

这种环境会缩短机器的寿命。

缩短篇幅

— To reduce the length of a written work or article.

由于版面限制，请缩短篇幅。

缩短航程

— To shorten the travel distance of a flight or voyage.

直飞航线缩短了航程。

缩短疗程

— To shorten the period of medical treatment.

这种新药可以缩短疗程。

缩短战线

— To narrow the focus of operations or military lines.

企业应该缩短战线，集中精力。

缩短周期

— To shorten the time of a recurring cycle.

我们要缩短产品的开发周期。

Se confunde a menudo con

缩短 vs 缩小

Used for size/area/scale (2D/3D), while 缩短 is for length/time (1D).

缩短 vs 减少

Used for quantity/number, while 缩短 is for duration or distance.

缩短 vs 变短

Passive/natural change, whereas 缩短 often implies active shortening.

Modismos y expresiones

"尺寸之功"

— A very small contribution, often used when 'shortening' the effort needed.

虽是尺寸之功，也值得表扬。

Literary

"截长补短"

— To cut from the long to supplement the short; to offset weaknesses by strengths.

我们应该截长补短，共同进步。

Common

"日就月将"

— Daily progress and monthly improvement, often implying shortening the time to success.

只要日就月将，就能缩短成功的距离。

Literary

"争分夺秒"

— To race against time; to make every second count to shorten a process.

医生们争分夺秒，缩短了救治时间。

Common

"事半功倍"

— Half the work with double the results; highly efficient, thus shortening time.

正确的方法能让你事半功倍，缩短工期。

Common

"短兵相接"

— To engage in hand-to-hand combat; implies shortening the distance to the enemy.

双方已经短兵相接，战况激烈。

Common

"一蹴而就"

— To succeed in one step; implies shortening the path to success to almost nothing.

缩短差距不是一蹴而就的事情。

Common

"近在咫尺"

— Right before one's eyes; very close, as if the distance was shortened.

成功已经近在咫尺，不要放弃。

Literary

"千里之行，始于足下"

— A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; every step shortens the remaining distance.

我们要缩短目标距离，就要迈出第一步。

Common

"马到成功"

— Instant success; shortening the wait for victory.

祝你马到成功，缩短奋斗的时间。

Common

Fácil de confundir

缩短 vs 缩小

Both involve making something smaller.

缩小 is for scale or scope (like a gap in quality), whereas 缩短 is for length or time.

缩小范围 (narrow the scope) vs 缩短时间 (shorten the time).

缩短 vs 减少

Both imply a reduction.

减少 is for countable or uncountable quantities (money, people), while 缩短 is for linear measures.

减少支出 (reduce spending) vs 缩短路程 (shorten the route).

缩短 vs 压缩

Both can apply to time.

压缩 implies force or pressure (compressing a file or a very tight schedule), while 缩短 is more general.

压缩文件 (compress a file) vs 缩短会议 (shorten a meeting).

缩短 vs 删减

Both are used for texts/media.

删减 is the action of cutting parts out, 缩短 is the result of that action.

删减情节 (cut scenes) to 缩短片长 (shorten film length).

缩短 vs 降低

Both mean 'to make less'.

降低 is for levels, heights, or standards (lowering prices or standards).

降低温度 (lower temperature) vs 缩短距离 (shorten distance).

Patrones de oraciones

Subject + 缩短 + Object

我们要缩短时间。

把 + Object + 缩短

把裤子缩短。

缩短 + 了 + Amount

缩短了三小时。

缩短 + 到 + Result

缩短到五天。

大大 + 缩短 + 了 + Object

大大缩短了周期。

旨在 + 缩短 + Object

旨在缩短差距。

缩短 + ... + 间的距离

缩短了城乡间的距离。

通过...来缩短...

通过改革来缩短审批时限。

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

缩短额 (reduction amount)

缩减 (reduction)

Verbos

缩 (shrink)

短 (to lack/be short of)

缩小 (shrink scale)

缩减 (reduce/cut)

Adjetivos

短的 (short)

缩微的 (miniature)

Relacionado

拉长 (lengthen)

延长 (extend)

减短 (make shorter)

改短 (alter to be shorter)

变短 (become shorter)

Regístrate gratis para ver todos los ejemplos

Cómo usarlo

frequency

Extremely frequent in news, business, and daily planning.

Errores comunes

缩短人 → 使人变矮
You cannot use 缩短 for a person's height. Use '变矮' instead.
缩短成本 → 降低成本
Costs are amounts, not lengths. Use '降低' (lower) or '减少' (reduce).
缩短数量 → 减少数量
Quantity requires '减少', not '缩短'.
缩短范围 → 缩小范围
Scope or range is an area (2D), so use '缩小'.
缩短压力 → 减轻压力
Pressure is not a length. Use '减轻' (lighten/relieve).

Consejos

Using '把' with 缩短

When you are the one performing the action on an object, use the '把' construction: '把会议缩短'.

Time vs Quantity

Always check: are you making it 'shorter' (time/length) or 'less' (quantity)? Use 缩短 for the former.

Master the third tone

The 'duǎn' in 缩短 is a third tone. Make sure to dip your voice low to be clearly understood.

Business Efficiency

In a job interview, talk about how you '缩短了流程' (shortened the process) to show your value.

Formal Reports

Use '大大缩短' (greatly shorten) to emphasize significant improvements in your writing.

News Clues

When you see '高铁' (high-speed rail) in a headline, look for '缩短' nearby; they are often paired.

Silk and Short

Remember the silk radical in 缩; think of shrinking a silk shirt to make it short (短).

Listen for '了'

If you hear '缩短了', focus on the number that follows to understand how much was saved.

Social Gaps

Use '缩短差距' when discussing social inequality to sound more like a native speaker.

Common Pairs

Memorize '缩短时间' and '缩短距离' as set phrases; they are used in 80% of cases.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'suo' as 'Squeezing' and 'duan' as 'Down'. You are 'Squeezing Down' the length of something.

Asociación visual

Imagine a tailor's measuring tape being rolled up or a clock's hands being pushed forward to finish a meeting early.

Word Web

时间 (Time) 距离 (Distance) 差距 (Gap) 寿命 (Lifespan) 工期 (Project period) 篇幅 (Length of text) 航程 (Voyage) 周期 (Cycle)

Desafío

Try to use '缩短' in three different sentences today: one about time, one about a physical object, and one about a goal.

Origen de la palabra

The word is a compound of two classic Chinese characters. '缩' (suō) originally referred to the binding of silk or the shrinking of cloth. '短' (duǎn) has always meant 'short' in contrast to 'long' (长).

Significado original: To draw back or contract something so that its linear measurement becomes short.

Sino-Tibetan

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using it with '寿命' (lifespan), as it is a sensitive and serious topic.

In English, we use 'shorten' for many things, but we often use 'narrow' for gaps. In Chinese, '缩短' covers both.

News reports on the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway often use '缩短'. Scientific documentaries about the 'Shortening of the Day' (Daylight savings). Business books about 'Lean Management' (精益管理).

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Travel and Transport

缩短路程
缩短车程
缩短航行时间
缩短通勤距离

Work and Productivity

缩短工期
缩短会议
缩短流程
缩短等待时间

Social Issues

缩短贫富差距
缩短教育差距
缩短城乡差距
缩短数字鸿沟

Health and Science

缩短寿命
缩短康复期
缩短反应时间
缩短波长

Media and Writing

缩短篇幅
缩短片长
缩短广告时间
缩短采访

Inicios de conversación

"你觉得我们可以如何缩短工作的通勤时间？"

"你认为科技真的缩短了人与人之间的距离吗？"

"有什么好方法可以缩短学习一门新语言的时间？"

"如果公司缩短工作周，你觉得效率会提高吗？"

"你最近有没有为了省时间而缩短了某项计划？"

Temas para diario

写一写你是如何通过改变习惯来缩短每天完成家务的时间的。

讨论一下高科技如何缩短了你与远方家人的联系感。

如果你能缩短世界上任何两地之间的距离，你会选哪里？为什么？

描述一次你因为某种原因不得不缩短假期的经历。

思考一下，缩短贫富差距对一个社会的长期发展有什么重要意义？

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, for height you should use '变矮' (become shorter) or '降低' (lower). 缩短 is for horizontal length or time.

Yes, you can use it when asking a tailor to shorten something, though '改短' is more common in shops.

The most common opposite is '延长' (yáncháng), which means to extend or lengthen in time or duration.

No, for money you should use '减少' (reduce) or '节省' (save). You cannot 'shorten' money.

You say '缩短了十分钟'. Use the particle '了' to show the amount of change.

It is neutral but very common in formal contexts like news and business reports.

Yes, it is frequently used for '缩短差距' (shortening the gap) in social or economic contexts.

Usually yes, as it implies efficiency, but it can be negative, such as '缩短寿命' (shortening lifespan).

Yes, '缩短距离' (shorten the distance) is one of the most common collocations.

缩减 is more formal and often implies a reduction in both length and quantity (like a budget or staff).

Regístrate gratis para ver consejos y notas