At the A1 level, the word '축소' (chukso) is quite advanced. However, you might see it in very simple contexts like using a phone or a computer. Think of it as the 'Zoom Out' button. When you have a big picture on your screen and you want to make it look smaller so you can see the whole thing, that action is called '축소'. In Korean, we often say '축소해요' (I reduce/shrink it). You don't need to worry about complex business meanings yet. Just remember that '축소' means making something big become small. For example, a small toy car is a '축소' version of a real car. It's a useful word to know if you are looking at maps or photos. At this stage, just try to recognize the word when you see the '-' symbol on a screen. It is the opposite of '확대' (hwakdae), which means 'Zoom In' or 'make bigger'. Even if you don't use it in conversation yet, knowing it will help you navigate Korean apps and websites.
At the A2 level, you can start using '축소' in simple sentences related to physical size. You might talk about '축소 모형' (miniature models) or '사진 축소' (reducing photo size). You are learning how to describe changes in your environment, and '축소' is a great formal word for that. Instead of just saying '작게 만들어요' (I make it small), you can say '축소해요'. This makes you sound a bit more educated. You might also hear this word in basic news about the weather or geography, like 'the forest is shrinking.' Although '줄어들어요' is more common in speech, '축소' will appear in signs and simple instructions. For instance, if you are at a print shop, the staff might ask if you want to '축소' the document to fit a smaller piece of paper. Learning this word helps you transition from basic 'survival' Korean to a more descriptive level where you can talk about proportions and sizes more accurately.
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '축소' in various professional and social contexts. This is the level where '축소' becomes very important for discussing topics like the economy, business, and social issues. You will frequently encounter phrases like '예산 축소' (budget reduction) and '규모 축소' (scale reduction). For example, if you are discussing a project at work, you might suggest '축소'ing the scope to save time. At this stage, you should also understand the difference between '축소' (scale/scope) and '감소' (number/quantity). You'll start to see '축소' used in abstract ways, such as the 'reduction of rights' or 'shrinking of influence.' You should be able to form sentences using '축소하다' and '축소되다' correctly. Understanding '축소' allows you to participate in more serious conversations and read intermediate-level news articles. It's a key word for expressing the idea of 'downsizing' or 'streamlining,' which are common themes in modern Korean society.
At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the nuanced and sometimes negative connotations of '축소'. You will encounter terms like '축소 은폐' (downplaying and concealing), often used in news reports about scandals or investigations. At this level, you should be able to use '축소' to debate complex topics, such as the '축소 도시' (shrinking cities) phenomenon caused by low birth rates. You should also be familiar with related Hanja-based words and how '축소' fits into a wider vocabulary of change (like '축소', '확대', '연장', '단축'). Your usage should reflect an understanding of register; you know that '축소' is appropriate for a formal report or a presentation, while '줄이다' is better for a casual chat. You can also use '축소' in a metaphorical sense, such as 'reducing one's role' in a group. This level of proficiency allows you to follow high-level discussions on policy, social trends, and technical specifications with ease.
At the C1 level, you should have a sophisticated grasp of '축소' in academic, legal, and literary contexts. You can analyze how the word is used to manipulate perception—for instance, how a '축소 발표' (minimized announcement) can be a political tool. You are comfortable with the word's role in complex grammatical structures and can use it as a noun, a verb, or part of a compound noun with precision. You might explore the philosophy of '축소 지향' (reduction-oriented) culture in Korea, as discussed in famous sociological texts. Your vocabulary includes specialized terms like '축소비' (reduction ratio) in engineering or '축소 인쇄' (reduced-size printing) in publishing. You can discuss the implications of '축소' in various fields, from the microscopic (nanotechnology) to the macroscopic (geopolitics). At this level, '축소' is not just a vocabulary word but a conceptual tool you use to describe the systematic narrowing or miniaturization of complex systems.
At the C2 level, your understanding of '축소' is near-native. You can appreciate the word's use in high-level literature to convey themes of loss, focus, or precision. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its Hanja roots deeply. You can effortlessly switch between '축소' and its most subtle synonyms (like '감축', '삭감', '절감') depending on the exact nuance required. You might use the word in a satirical or ironic way in a speech or an essay. You are also aware of the most obscure idioms and technical applications of the word. For a C2 learner, '축소' is part of a vast, interconnected web of Korean vocabulary that allows for the expression of the most minute details of scale and scope. You can critique a news report for its choice of '축소' over another word, understanding the ideological weight that such a choice might carry. Your mastery is such that you can use '축소' with the same flexibility and rhetorical power as a highly educated native speaker.

축소 en 30 secondes

  • 축소 (Chukso) means reduction or shrinking in terms of scale, size, or scope.
  • It is a formal word used in business, news, and technical contexts.
  • Commonly paired with '하다' (to reduce) or '되다' (to be reduced).
  • It is the opposite of '확대' (expansion) and differs from '감소' (numerical decrease).

The Korean word 축소 (Chuk-so) is a Sino-Korean noun that literally translates to 'shrinking' or 'reduction.' Derived from the Hanja characters 縮 (shuk) meaning 'to shrink' and 小 (so) meaning 'small,' it refers to the intentional or natural decrease in the size, scale, scope, or volume of an object or a concept. Unlike simple verbs for 'getting smaller,' 축소 carries a more formal, systematic, or technical nuance, often used in professional, academic, or journalistic contexts. It is the antonym of 확대 (hwak-dae), which means expansion. Understanding 축소 is essential for navigating Korean news, business meetings, and technical documentation, as it describes everything from resizing a digital image to the downsizing of a multi-national corporation.

Physical Dimension
Used when an object is physically made smaller, such as a scale model or a compressed file. For example, a map is a '축소' of a real-world territory.
Business and Economy
Refers to budget cuts, downsizing staff, or reducing the scope of a project to save costs or increase efficiency.
Abstract Scope
Applied to ideas, rights, or social phenomena, such as the reduction of individual privacy or the shrinking of a specific market sector.

지도를 제작할 때는 실제 지형을 일정 비율로 축소해야 합니다.

When making a map, you must reduce the actual terrain by a certain ratio.

In everyday life, you might encounter this word when using software (like '축소' for zooming out), when discussing government policies (budget reduction), or even when talking about environmental issues like the shrinking of glaciers. It is a versatile word that bridges the gap between concrete physical changes and complex abstract reductions. The formality of the word makes it particularly useful in writing reports or giving presentations where '줄어들다' (to shrink) might sound too informal or vague. By using 축소, you specify that the reduction is a defined action or a specific state of being smaller in scale.

회사는 불필요한 지출을 축소하기로 했습니다.

The company decided to reduce unnecessary expenditures.

Culturally, the concept of '축소' is often linked to efficiency and minimalism in modern Korea. As urban spaces become more crowded, the '축소' of living spaces or the '축소' of complex procedures in bureaucracy is often viewed as a positive move toward modernization. Conversely, in the context of the economy, it can carry a heavy weight, often implying austerity measures or a decline in growth. Whether you are looking at a smaller version of a car or a smaller version of a government program, '축소' is the term that defines that transition from large to small.

Using 축소 correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as a noun that can transform into various verbal forms. The most common derivation is 축소하다 (active: to reduce) and 축소되다 (passive: to be reduced). Because it is a formal word, it is frequently paired with technical objects like '규모' (scale), '범위' (scope), '예산' (budget), and '비율' (ratio). When you want to describe an intentional action taken by a subject, use '축소하다'. When describing a state that has happened to something, '축소되다' is the preferred choice.

Subject + Object + 축소하다
정부는 국방 예산을 축소하기로 결정했습니다. (The government decided to reduce the defense budget.) Here, the government is the active agent performing the reduction.
Subject + 축소되다
빙하의 면적이 해마다 축소되고 있습니다. (The area of the glaciers is being reduced every year.) This focuses on the phenomenon happening to the glaciers.

이미지를 축소해서 이메일에 첨부해 주세요.

Please reduce the image and attach it to the email.

In academic writing, '축소' is often used to define the limitations of a study. For instance, a researcher might say they are '축소'ing the scope of their investigation to a specific demographic. In this sense, it acts as a tool for precision. It is also used in the context of 'overstatement' vs. 'understatement'. In Korean, to downplay or minimize the significance of an event (often a mistake or a crime) is described as 축소 은폐 (reduction and concealment). This is a common phrase in legal and investigative journalism.

Furthermore, '축소' can be used as a modifier. For example, 축소 모형 means a 'scale model' or 'miniature.' If you are building a model of a building or a car, you are working on a '축소 모형.' This usage highlights the physical aspect of the word. Another common compound is 축소판 (chuk-so-pan), which refers to a 'miniature version' or a 'microcosm' of something larger. A small village might be described as a '축소판' of the entire country, representing all its diverse characteristics in a smaller area.

사건의 진실이 축소 보도되어서는 안 됩니다.

The truth of the case must not be reported in a reduced (downplayed) manner.

You will hear 축소 most frequently in formal news broadcasts, particularly during the business and politics segments. When the Bank of Korea discusses interest rates or when the government announces new fiscal policies, the word '축소' is ubiquitous. It appears in headlines like '예산 축소' (Budget Cut) or '군비 축소' (Armament Reduction). In these contexts, it conveys a sense of gravity and official action. It's not just that something is getting smaller; it's that a decision has been made to make it smaller.

In the Office
During meetings, a manager might say, "We need to '축소' the scope of this project to meet the deadline." This implies a strategic narrowing of focus.
In Digital Media
When editing photos or videos, the commands for 'Scale Down' or 'Zoom Out' are labeled as '축소'. You will see this in apps like Photoshop or even basic gallery apps on your phone.
In Education
Teachers might talk about '축소 지향적' (reduction-oriented) tendencies in certain cultures or periods of history, referring to a preference for smaller, more manageable forms.

경기가 안 좋아지면서 기업들이 채용 규모를 축소하고 있습니다.

As the economy worsens, companies are reducing the scale of their hiring.

Another common place to hear this word is in legal dramas or true crime documentaries. The phrase '축소 수사' refers to a 'reduced investigation' or a 'watered-down investigation,' where the police or prosecutors are accused of not investigating a crime to its full extent. This is a very negative usage of the word, implying corruption or a cover-up. Similarly, '축소 발표' means a 'downplayed announcement,' where the severity of a situation is minimized to avoid public outcry.

Finally, in the context of urban planning and sociology, you might hear about '축소 도시' (Shrinking Cities). This refers to cities experiencing significant population decline and economic contraction. It is a major topic of discussion in Korea today due to the declining birth rate. Experts discuss how to manage '축소' in a way that maintains the quality of life for the remaining residents. In this case, '축소' is not just a word but a significant social challenge that the country is actively trying to navigate.

While 축소 is a common word, learners often confuse it with other words that mean 'decrease' or 'lessen.' The most frequent confusion is with 감소 (gam-so). While both involve something getting smaller, they are used in different contexts. 감소 is typically used for quantities, numbers, or amounts that can be counted (like population, temperature, or sales volume). 축소, on the other hand, is used for size, scale, scope, or dimensions. You '감소' the number of employees, but you '축소' the size of the department.

축소 vs. 감소
Use '축소' for scale/size (e.g., shrinking a photo). Use '감소' for numbers/amounts (e.g., a decrease in the number of students).
축소 vs. 단축
'단축' (dan-chuk) is specifically for time or distance. You '단축' your commute or the duration of a meeting. You do not '축소' a meeting (unless you mean the physical size of the room or the scope of the agenda).
축소 vs. 절감
'절감' (jeol-gam) is almost exclusively used for 'cutting costs' or 'saving' (e.g., 비용 절감). While '비용 축소' is possible, '절감' is the much more natural and common term for saving money.

인구가 축소하고 있다 (X) -> 인구가 감소하고 있다 (O)

The population is decreasing (use '감소' for numbers).

Another mistake is using '축소' when you mean 'to shorten' in a physical sense, like cutting a piece of string. For that, you would use '자르다' (to cut) or '짧게 하다' (to make short). '축소' implies a proportional reduction of the whole thing, not just cutting off a piece. If you '축소' a dress, you are making a miniature version of the entire dress. If you just want to make the sleeves shorter, that is not '축소'.

Finally, remember that '축소' often implies an intentional act. If something naturally withers away, like a flower, you wouldn't use '축소'. You would use '시들다'. '축소' is best reserved for things that have a defined boundary, scale, or budget that is being actively managed or systematically reduced. Misusing it in natural contexts can make your Korean sound overly robotic or technical.

To sound more like a native speaker, it's helpful to know the subtle differences between 축소 and its synonyms. Depending on the context—whether it's financial, physical, or temporal—other words might be more appropriate. Here is a breakdown of how '축소' compares to its closest relatives.

감축 (Gam-chuk)
Very similar to '축소' but often used in the context of reducing a total amount or number, especially in military or environmental contexts. '인원 감축' (staff reduction) and '온실가스 감축' (greenhouse gas reduction) are very common. It feels slightly more 'official' than 축소 in these specific domains.
삭감 (Sak-gam)
This means 'to slash' or 'to cut,' and it is almost always used for money or points. If the government 'slashes' the welfare budget, they '삭감' it. It has a harsher, more abrupt nuance than the systematic '축소'.
완화 (Wan-hwa)
Meaning 'to ease' or 'to relax,' this is used when reducing the intensity of something, like regulations, tension, or pain. You don't '축소' a law; you '완화' (ease) the regulations of that law.

예산을 삭감하다 vs. 사업 규모를 축소하다.

Slash the budget (monetary) vs. Reduce the business scale (scope).

For more informal settings, native speakers often use the verb 줄이다 (jul-i-da). This is the go-to word for 'to reduce' in daily life. You '줄이다' the volume of the TV, you '줄이다' the amount of salt in your food, and you '줄이다' your spending. While '축소하다' would be understood, it might sound a bit too stiff if you're just talking to a friend about eating less sugar. Use '줄이다' for everyday actions and '축소' for formal or large-scale reductions.

In summary, choose your word based on the 'what' and the 'how'. If it's a formal scale or scope, use '축소'. If it's a countable number, use '감소'. If it's time or distance, use '단축'. If it's money being cut, use '삭감'. If it's just general daily reducing, use '줄이다'. Mastering these distinctions will significantly elevate your Korean proficiency and help you express yourself with the precision of a native speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The character 縮 (축) originally depicted the process of tightening silk threads. This idea of 'tightening' evolved into the concept of shrinking or reducing the space something occupies.

Guide de prononciation

UK /tɕʰuk.s͈o/
US /tɕʰuk.s͈o/
In Korean, stress is generally even, but the second syllable '소' might feel slightly more emphasized due to the tensing (fortis) effect.
Rime avec
독소 (poison) 곡소 (wailing) 복소 (complex number) 폭소 (burst of laughter) 숙소 (lodging) 옥소 (iodine) 목소 (wood carving) 국소 (local/limited)
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing '소' as a soft 'so' instead of the tense 's͈o'.
  • Over-emphasizing the 'k' in 'chuk' instead of treating it as a clean unreleased stop.
  • Confusing it with '숙소' (suk-so), which means lodging/accommodation.
  • Pronouncing it as '추소' (chu-so), omitting the 'k' sound.
  • Making the 'u' sound too long like 'choo-kso'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Common in news and signs, but requires Hanja knowledge for deep understanding.

Écriture 4/5

Requires knowing which collocations (budget, scale) fit best.

Expression orale 3/5

Easy to pronounce, but '줄이다' is often used instead in casual speech.

Écoute 3/5

Clearly distinct sound, but can be confused with '숙소'.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

작다 (small) 줄이다 (to reduce/casual) 크다 (big) 규모 (scale) 예산 (budget)

Apprends ensuite

확대 (expansion) 감소 (decrease) 증가 (increase) 삭감 (slashing) 절감 (cutting)

Avancé

축소 지향 (reductionism) 축소 은폐 (downplaying/concealing) 수렴 (convergence) 수축 (contraction)

Grammaire à connaître

Noun + 하다/되다

축소하다 (Active), 축소되다 (Passive)

-기로 하다 (Decision)

예산을 축소하기로 했다.

-어/아지다 (Change of state)

규모가 축소되었다.

Noun + 지향적 (Oriented)

축소 지향적인 사고방식

-(으)로 인해 (Cause)

불황으로 인해 사업이 축소되었다.

Exemples par niveau

1

사진을 축소해요.

I shrink the photo.

축소 + 해요 (basic present tense verb)

2

이것은 축소 모형입니다.

This is a scale model.

축소 (noun) modifying 모형 (model)

3

화면을 축소하세요.

Please zoom out the screen.

축소 + 하세요 (polite command)

4

지도는 땅을 축소한 것입니다.

A map is a reduction of the land.

축소한 (past participle form modifying 것)

5

글자를 축소해 주세요.

Please make the letters smaller.

축소해 주다 (to do something for someone)

6

축소 버튼이 어디에 있어요?

Where is the zoom-out button?

축소 (noun) as a modifier for 버튼 (button)

7

그림이 너무 커서 축소했어요.

The picture was too big, so I reduced it.

축소했어요 (past tense)

8

작게 보려면 축소하세요.

Zoom out to see it small.

-(으)려면 (if you want to...)

1

복사기를 사용해서 문서를 축소했습니다.

I reduced the document using a photocopier.

-(을) 사용해서 (by using...)

2

가게 규모를 축소하기로 했어요.

We decided to reduce the size of the store.

-기로 하다 (to decide to...)

3

이 인형은 실제 사람의 축소판이에요.

This doll is a miniature version of a real person.

축소판 (miniature version/microcosm)

4

파일 용량을 축소해야 합니다.

You need to reduce the file size.

-아야 하다 (must/need to)

5

계획이 축소되어서 아쉬워요.

I'm disappointed that the plan was scaled back.

축소되다 (passive: to be reduced)

6

그는 자기 실수를 축소해서 말했어요.

He downplayed his mistake when he spoke.

축소해서 (by reducing/downplaying)

7

이 지도는 5만분의 1로 축소되었습니다.

This map has been reduced to a 1:50,000 scale.

-되었습니다 (formal passive past tense)

8

비용을 축소할 방법이 있을까요?

Is there a way to reduce costs?

-(을) 방법 (way to...)

1

정부는 복지 예산 축소를 검토 중입니다.

The government is considering reducing the welfare budget.

축소 (noun) as the object of 검토 (review)

2

회사가 어려워져서 인원을 축소했습니다.

The company reduced staff because things got difficult.

-어/아지다 (to become...)

3

과도한 포장을 축소하는 캠페인을 합니다.

We are running a campaign to reduce excessive packaging.

축소하는 (present participle modifying 캠페인)

4

전쟁 위험이 사라지자 군비를 축소했습니다.

As the danger of war disappeared, armaments were reduced.

-자 (as soon as/since...)

5

그 배우는 사건을 축소 보도한 언론을 비판했습니다.

The actor criticized the media for downplaying the incident.

축소 보도 (minimized/downplayed reporting)

6

이미지 축소 알고리즘이 개선되었습니다.

The image reduction algorithm has been improved.

축소 (noun) as part of a technical compound

7

도시가 축소되면서 빈집이 늘어나고 있습니다.

As the city shrinks, the number of empty houses is increasing.

-(으)면서 (while/as...)

8

우리는 연구 범위를 특정 지역으로 축소했습니다.

We narrowed the scope of our research to a specific area.

A를 B로 축소하다 (reduce A to B)

1

권력의 남용을 막기 위해 대통령의 권한을 축소해야 한다는 의견이 있습니다.

There is an opinion that the President's powers should be reduced to prevent abuse of power.

-어야 한다는 의견 (the opinion that one must...)

2

그 기업은 경영 합리화를 위해 사업 부문을 대폭 축소했습니다.

The company drastically reduced its business divisions for management rationalization.

대폭 (drastically/greatly)

3

환경 오염을 줄이기 위해 일회용품 사용을 축소해야 합니다.

To reduce environmental pollution, the use of disposable items must be scaled back.

-기 위해 (in order to...)

4

검찰은 피의자의 범죄 사실을 축소 은폐했다는 의혹을 받고 있습니다.

The prosecution is under suspicion of downplaying and concealing the suspect's criminal facts.

축소 은폐 (minimization and concealment)

5

신도시는 인구 감소로 인해 개발 계획이 축소되었습니다.

The development plan for the new city was scaled back due to population decline.

-로 인해 (due to...)

6

자연 서식지의 축소는 생물 다양성에 큰 위협이 됩니다.

The shrinking of natural habitats is a great threat to biodiversity.

축소 (noun) as the subject

7

이 소설은 현대 사회의 모순을 축소해서 보여줍니다.

This novel shows the contradictions of modern society in a condensed way.

축소해서 보여주다 (show in a reduced/condensed way)

8

금리 인상으로 인해 대출 규모가 축소되고 있습니다.

Due to the interest rate hike, the scale of loans is shrinking.

-(이)고 있다 (progressive tense)

1

정치권은 선거구 축소 문제를 두고 팽팽하게 맞서고 있습니다.

Political circles are sharply clashing over the issue of reducing electoral districts.

-을/를 두고 (over/concerning a certain issue)

2

이 이론은 복잡한 현상을 지나치게 축소 지향적으로 해석했다는 비판을 받습니다.

This theory is criticized for interpreting complex phenomena in an overly reductionist manner.

축소 지향적 (reduction-oriented/reductionist)

3

과거의 영광이 축소된 채 기억 속에만 남아 있습니다.

Past glory remains only in memory, in a diminished state.

-은 채 (in the state of...)

4

유전자 편집 기술을 통해 질병의 발생 가능성을 축소할 수 있습니다.

Through gene-editing technology, the possibility of disease occurrence can be reduced.

-를 통해 (through/via...)

5

그 철학자는 인간의 존재를 물질로 축소시키는 유물론을 반대했습니다.

The philosopher opposed materialism, which reduces human existence to matter.

A를 B로 축소시키다 (to reduce A to B - causative)

6

대외 무역의 축소는 국가 경제 전반에 심각한 타격을 줄 수 있습니다.

The shrinking of foreign trade can deal a serious blow to the national economy as a whole.

전반에 (across the whole...)

7

미술가는 거대한 풍경을 작은 캔버스 안에 축소하여 담아냈습니다.

The artist captured a vast landscape by reducing it onto a small canvas.

-어/아 담아내다 (to capture/express...)

8

언어의 축소는 사고의 축소로 이어질 위험이 있습니다.

The reduction of language carries the risk of leading to the reduction of thought.

-로 이어지다 (to lead to...)

1

본 논문은 근대화 과정에서 공동체의 역할이 축소되어 온 과정을 고찰한다.

This paper examines the process by which the role of the community has been diminished during modernization.

-어/아 오다 (indicates an action continuing from the past)

2

사건의 파장을 축소하려는 당국의 시도는 오히려 대중의 공분을 샀다.

The authorities' attempt to minimize the fallout of the incident instead drew public outrage.

-(으)려는 시도 (attempt to...)

3

정보의 과잉 시대에 핵심만을 축소 추출하는 능력이 중요해지고 있다.

In an era of information overload, the ability to condense and extract only the core is becoming important.

축소 추출 (condensed extraction)

4

그 작가의 문체는 수식어를 극한으로 축소하여 강렬한 인상을 남긴다.

The author's style leaves a strong impression by reducing modifiers to the extreme.

극한으로 (to the limit/extreme)

5

우주론적 관점에서 지구의 존재는 하나의 점으로 축소될 만큼 미미하다.

From a cosmological perspective, Earth's existence is so insignificant it can be reduced to a single point.

-을 만큼 (to the extent that...)

6

역사적 사실을 특정 이데올로기에 맞춰 축소 왜곡하는 행위는 지양해야 한다.

The act of reducing and distorting historical facts to fit a specific ideology should be avoided.

축소 왜곡 (reduction and distortion)

7

디지털 기술은 물리적 거리를 축소시킴으로써 지구촌을 하나로 묶었다.

Digital technology has united the global village by shrinking physical distances.

-(으)ㅁ으로써 (by doing...)

8

생태계의 축소는 인간 문명의 존립 근거를 위협하는 근본적인 문제이다.

The shrinking of the ecosystem is a fundamental problem threatening the very basis of human civilization's existence.

존립 근거 (basis for existence)

Synonymes

Collocations courantes

규모 축소
예산 축소
인원 축소
비중 축소
범위 축소
이미지 축소
축소 모형
축소 복사
축소 지향
축소 은폐

Phrases Courantes

규모를 축소하다

— To reduce the scale of something.

회사는 사업 규모를 축소하기로 했다.

범위를 축소하다

— To narrow the scope.

조사 범위를 축소했다.

축소해서 보다

— To look at something in a reduced size (zoom out).

지도를 축소해서 보세요.

축소판이다

— To be a miniature version/microcosm.

이 도시는 나라의 축소판이다.

예산을 축소 편성하다

— To organize a reduced budget.

내년 예산을 축소 편성했다.

축소 인쇄

— Reduced-size printing.

A4 용지에 축소 인쇄해 주세요.

군비 축소

— Reduction of armaments (disarmament).

양국은 군비 축소에 합의했다.

사건을 축소하다

— To downplay an incident.

경찰이 사건을 축소하려 한다.

축소 비율

— Reduction ratio.

축소 비율을 확인하세요.

점차 축소되다

— To be gradually reduced.

혜택이 점차 축소되고 있다.

Souvent confondu avec

축소 vs 숙소

Means 'lodging' or 'accommodation'. Sounds similar but starts with 'S' instead of 'Ch'.

축소 vs 취소

Means 'cancellation'. Often confused by beginners due to the 'so' ending.

축소 vs 축사

Means 'congratulatory speech' or 'livestock shed'. Pay attention to the final consonant.

Expressions idiomatiques

"바늘구멍으로 축소되다"

— To be reduced to the size of a needle hole (extremely narrowed down).

취업 문이 바늘구멍으로 축소되었다.

Metaphorical
"축소 지향의 일본인"

— A famous concept/book title describing the Japanese tendency toward miniaturization.

그는 축소 지향의 일본인이라는 책을 읽었다.

Academic/Cultural
"몸집을 축소하다"

— To reduce one's 'body size' (meaning a company downsizing).

대기업들이 몸집을 축소하고 있다.

Business Slang
"한눈에 들어오게 축소하다"

— To reduce something so it fits in one's eye (to make it easily viewable at once).

복잡한 자료를 한눈에 들어오게 축소했다.

Neutral
"꼬리에 꼬리를 무는 축소"

— Reductions that lead to more reductions (chain reaction).

예산 삭감이 꼬리에 꼬리를 무는 축소로 이어졌다.

Journalistic
"개미 눈물만큼 축소되다"

— To be reduced to the size of an ant's tear (hyperbole for very small).

월급 인상분이 개미 눈물만큼 축소되었다.

Informal/Humorous
"손바닥만 하게 축소하다"

— To reduce to the size of a palm.

큰 지도를 손바닥만 하게 축소했다.

Informal
"뿌리까지 축소하다"

— To reduce something down to its roots (fundamental reduction).

기능을 뿌리까지 축소한 단순한 모델이다.

Metaphorical
"거품을 축소하다"

— To reduce the 'bubble' (removing excess/inflated parts).

가격의 거품을 축소해야 합니다.

Economic
"그늘에 가려 축소되다"

— To be diminished/overshadowed by something else.

그의 업적은 다른 사건의 그늘에 가려 축소되었다.

Literary

Facile à confondre

축소 vs 감소

Both mean 'decrease'.

감소 is for numbers/quantities (population, sales). 축소 is for scale/size (budget, image).

인구 감소 (Population decrease) vs. 사업 축소 (Business scale reduction).

축소 vs 단축

Both mean 'making smaller'.

단축 is only for time or distance.

시간 단축 (Shortening time) vs. 이미지 축소 (Shrinking image).

축소 vs 삭감

Both used for budgets.

삭감 is a harsher 'slash' or 'cut' of money. 축소 is a more general reduction of scale.

연봉 삭감 (Salary cut) vs. 조직 축소 (Organization downsizing).

축소 vs 하락

Both mean 'going down'.

하락 is for values, prices, or grades falling.

가격 하락 (Price drop) vs. 면적 축소 (Area reduction).

축소 vs 절감

Both mean 'reduction'.

절감 is specifically 'saving' resources or costs.

에너지 절감 (Energy saving) vs. 범위 축소 (Scope reduction).

Structures de phrases

A1

N을/를 축소해요.

사진을 축소해요.

A2

N을/를 축소하기로 했어요.

가게를 축소하기로 했어요.

B1

N이/가 축소되고 있어요.

예산이 축소되고 있어요.

B1

N을/를 축소해야 합니다.

범위를 축소해야 합니다.

B2

N으로 인해 N이/가 축소되었다.

불황으로 인해 규모가 축소되었다.

C1

N을/를 N(으)로 축소시키다.

인간을 물질로 축소시키다.

C1

N을/를 축소해서 보여주다.

세상을 축소해서 보여주다.

C2

N의 축소는 N의 위협이 된다.

서식지의 축소는 생태계의 위협이 된다.

Famille de mots

Noms

축소 (reduction)
축소판 (miniature version)
축소형 (reduced type)
축소비 (reduction ratio)
축소사 (diminutive word)

Verbes

축소하다 (to reduce)
축소되다 (to be reduced)
축소시키다 (to make something reduced)

Adjectifs

축소 지향적인 (reduction-oriented)

Apparenté

확대 (expansion)
감소 (decrease)
단축 (shortening)
삭감 (slashing)
절감 (cutting/saving)

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in written Korean and news; moderate in daily spoken Korean.

Erreurs courantes
  • 인구가 축소되고 있다. 인구가 감소하고 있다.

    Use '감소' for numbers like population. '축소' is for size or scale.

  • 회의 시간을 축소합시다. 회의 시간을 단축합시다.

    Use '단축' for time. '축소' is for physical or organizational scale.

  • 옷의 소매를 축소했어요. 옷의 소매를 줄였어요.

    For physical shortening of a part, '줄이다' is more natural. '축소' would mean making a miniature version of the whole dress.

  • 가격을 축소해 주세요. 가격을 인하해 주세요. / 깎아 주세요.

    For prices, use '인하' (formal) or '깎다' (casual).

  • 실수를 감소하지 마세요. 실수를 축소하지 마세요.

    When 'downplaying' a mistake, '축소' is the correct term for 'reducing the significance'.

Astuces

Formal Contexts

Always use '축소' in written reports, emails to superiors, or academic papers to maintain a professional tone.

Visual Aid

Think of the '-' icon on your computer. That icon is the embodiment of the word '축소'.

Passive vs Active

Remember that '축소되다' is very common in news because it focuses on the event rather than who did it.

Hanja Link

Learn '소' (小 - small) to easily recognize other words like '소형' (small size) or '소수' (minority).

Resizing Photos

If you are asking a friend to resize a photo, '축소해서 보내줘' is perfectly natural.

Compound Nouns

You can combine '축소' with many nouns without particles, like '예산 축소' or '규모 축소'.

Shrinking Cities

Understanding '축소 도시' will help you follow modern Korean social discussions about the population crisis.

News Keywords

When you hear '축소', listen for the word right before it to know *what* is being reduced (e.g., 예산, 규모, 범위).

Avoid for Numbers

Don't say '인구가 축소했다'. Say '인구가 감소했다'. This is a very common learner mistake.

Metaphorical Use

Use '축소판' to describe something that represents a larger concept in a small way.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'CHUK' (truck) being squeezed into a 'SO' (small) parking spot. CHUK-SO = Truck made Small.

Association visuelle

Imagine a giant map of the world being folded and squeezed until it fits into your pocket. That process of making the world small is '축소'.

Word Web

Scale Budget Minimize Shrink Downsize Map Photo Scope

Défi

Try to find 3 things in your room that are a '축소판' (miniature version) of something bigger. For example, a toy car, a globe, or a dollhouse.

Origine du mot

Sino-Korean word consisting of two Hanja characters: 縮 (축) and 小 (소).

Sens originel : 縮 means 'to shrink, contract, or shrivel,' and 小 means 'small.' Together, they literally mean 'to shrink small.'

Sino-Korean (Hanja)

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using '인원 축소' (staff reduction) as it is a polite way of saying 'layoffs.' It can be a very sensitive topic in a workplace.

In English, we use different words like 'downsize,' 'shrink,' 'minimize,' or 'scale back' depending on the context. In Korean, '축소' covers all of these formal situations.

축소 지향의 일본인 (Book by Lee O-young) 축소 도시 (Urban planning concept) 군비 축소 조약 (Disarmament treaties)

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Digital Devices

  • 화면 축소
  • 이미지 축소
  • 축소 버튼
  • 비율 축소

Business

  • 사업 축소
  • 인원 축소
  • 예산 축소
  • 규모 축소

Geography/Maps

  • 축소 모형
  • 축소 비율
  • 지형 축소
  • 축척

News/Politics

  • 군비 축소
  • 수사 축소
  • 의혹 축소
  • 지원 축소

Daily Life

  • 축소 복사
  • 축소 인쇄
  • 사이즈 축소
  • 부피 축소

Amorces de conversation

"요즘 경기가 안 좋아서 많은 회사들이 규모를 축소하고 있대요."

"이 사진을 블로그에 올리려면 용량을 좀 축소해야 할 것 같아요."

"지도를 보실 때 화면을 좀 축소해서 전체적인 위치를 확인해 보세요."

"정부가 복지 혜택을 축소한다는 소식 들으셨어요?"

"이 아파트 단지의 축소 모형을 보니 정말 멋지네요."

Sujets d'écriture

최근에 당신의 생활에서 규모를 축소하고 싶은 부분이 있나요? (예: 지출, 물건, 인간관계)

디지털 기기를 사용할 때 '축소' 기능을 가장 자주 사용하는 상황은 언제인가요?

만약 당신의 나라가 '축소 도시' 문제를 겪고 있다면 어떤 해결책이 있을까요?

자신의 장점을 확대해서 말하는 것과 실수를 축소해서 말하는 것 중 무엇이 더 나쁘다고 생각하나요?

미니멀리즘(Minimalism)과 '축소'의 개념은 어떻게 연결될 수 있을까요?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Not really. For losing weight, use '살이 빠지다' or '체중이 감소하다'. '축소' implies a change in scale or scope, not biological weight loss.

'줄이다' is the general Korean verb for 'to reduce' used in daily life. '축소하다' is the formal/technical version. You '줄이다' the salt in your soup, but you '축소' the size of a digital file.

It means a 'miniature version.' For example, a dollhouse is a '축소판' of a real house. It can also be used metaphorically, like 'This school is a microcosm (축소판) of society.'

Use '축소하다' when someone is actively reducing something (e.g., The boss reduced the budget). Use '축소되다' when something is being reduced or has become smaller (e.g., The budget was reduced).

No. For time, use '단축' (shortening). For example, '시간을 단축하다' (to shorten time).

Not necessarily. Shrinking a large file to save space is positive. However, in business, '인원 축소' (staff reduction) is usually seen as negative.

The most common opposite is '확대' (hwak-dae), which means expansion or zooming in.

On most Korean software, the zoom-out button is labeled as '축소'.

Yes, it comes from 縮 (shrink) and 小 (small). Knowing this helps you understand other words with '축' like '단축' (shorten) or '소' like '소규모' (small scale).

No. For a discount, use '할인' (discount) or '인하' (price reduction).

Teste-toi 181 questions

writing

'축소하다'를 사용하여 'I reduced the photo size'를 번역하세요.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

'규모'와 '축소'를 사용하여 한 문장을 만드세요.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

화면이 너무 커서 잘 안 보여요. 축소해 달라고 부탁해 보세요.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

뉴스에서 '군비 축소'라는 말이 나왔습니다. 무엇을 줄인다는 뜻인가요?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

'The scope of the investigation has been narrowed.'를 번역하세요.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

'Please print it in a reduced size.'를 번역하세요.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

'The budget has been drastically reduced.'를 번역하세요.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

'The plan was scaled back.'를 번역하세요.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

'Is there a way to reduce the scale?'를 번역하세요.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

'The company decided to downsize.'를 번역하세요.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

'We need to narrow down the options.'를 번역하세요.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'Scale reduction' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'Shrink the photo' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Please zoom out' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

If someone says '축소판', what are they referring to?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'The scope was reduced.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'Miniature version.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'Reduce the budget.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'Reduced investigation.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Translate: 'Please reduce it.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

/ 181 correct

Perfect score!

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