이 페이지를 내 언어로
English فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A1 noun #2,513 가장 일반적인 12분 분량

縮小

shukushō
연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 縮小 30초 만에
설명 縮小 in your Level:
At the A1 level, learners are just beginning to navigate the Japanese language. While 縮小 (shukushou) is a slightly formal word, A1 learners will encounter it primarily in digital environments. If you use a Japanese smartphone, computer, or web browser, you will see the word 縮小 next to the magnifying glass icon with a minus sign. It simply means 'zoom out' or 'make smaller.' At this stage, you do not need to worry about complex business applications. Focus on recognizing the kanji characters: 縮 (shrink) and 小 (small). Knowing that 小 means small is a great hook for remembering that this word is about making things smaller. You might also learn the basic verb form, 縮小する (shukushou suru), which means 'to shrink' or 'to reduce.' For example, if you want to make a picture smaller on your screen, you are doing 縮小. Practice recognizing this word in menus and settings. It is a practical, everyday vocabulary item for anyone interacting with Japanese technology. Do not worry about the abstract meanings yet; just associate it with the physical act of resizing an image or document to be smaller. This foundational understanding will prepare you for more advanced usages later on.
As an A2 learner, your vocabulary is expanding to include more practical daily life situations. You will start to see 縮小 (shukushou) used outside of just digital screens. For instance, if you go to a convenience store to use the copy machine, you will see options for 拡大 (kakudai - enlarge) and 縮小 (shukushou - reduce). A 縮小コピー (shukushou kopii) is a reduced-size photocopy. You should now be comfortable using it as a 'suru' verb in simple sentences. For example, '画像を縮小します' (Gazou o shukushou shimasu - I will shrink the image). You are also learning to distinguish it from simple adjectives like 小さい (chiisai - small). While 小さい describes a state, 縮小 describes the action or process of becoming small. At this level, it is highly beneficial to learn its direct antonym, 拡大 (kakudai - expansion). Memorizing them as a pair (zoom in / zoom out, enlarge / reduce) makes them much easier to recall. You might also start hearing it in simple news broadcasts regarding the size of events or plans being scaled back, though the detailed economic contexts might still be too complex. Focus on its physical applications and basic verb conjugations.
무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기
At the B1 level, you are transitioning into intermediate Japanese, which means you are starting to consume native media like news articles, broadcasts, and more complex texts. Here, 縮小 (shukushou) becomes a crucial vocabulary word for understanding societal and business trends. You will frequently encounter phrases like 事業の縮小 (jigyou no shukushou - downsizing of business) or 規模を縮小する (kibo o shukushou suru - to reduce the scale). At this stage, you must understand the difference between transitive and intransitive usages. '会社が事業を縮小する' (The company reduces its business) uses the particle を (o) for an active decision. Conversely, '市場が縮小している' (The market is shrinking) uses が (ga) to describe a natural state of decline. You should also be able to differentiate 縮小 from similar words like 減少 (genshou - decrease in number). Remember, 縮小 is about scale and size, while 減少 is about quantity. B1 learners should practice using 縮小 in discussions about current events, such as talking about how festivals or events were scaled back (縮小された) due to unforeseen circumstances. Mastering this word at B1 unlocks a significant portion of formal Japanese communication.
무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기
For B2 learners, 縮小 (shukushou) is an active part of your working vocabulary, used confidently in professional, academic, and formal contexts. You are expected to understand its nuances and collocations deeply. You will encounter and use compound nouns like 縮小傾向 (shukushou keikou - shrinking trend) or 縮小策 (shukushousaku - reduction policy). At this level, you can read and comprehend complex news articles discussing Japan's demographic challenges, such as 人口縮小 (jinkou shukushou - population decline) and its impact on the economy. You should be comfortable using the passive form 縮小される (shukushou sareru) to describe objective facts or administrative decisions without focusing on the actor. Furthermore, you can express complex relationships, such as '予算の制約により、プロジェクトは縮小を余儀なくされた' (Due to budget constraints, the project was forced to downsize). B2 learners must also flawlessly distinguish 縮小 from 削減 (sakugen - cuts) and 低下 (teika - decline), using each precisely where appropriate. Your ability to use 縮小 accurately in essays, presentations, and debates demonstrates a strong command of intermediate-to-advanced Japanese and an understanding of formal kango (Sino-Japanese) vocabulary.
무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기
At the C1 level, your grasp of 縮小 (shukushou) is near-native, allowing you to engage with highly abstract, technical, and nuanced texts. You understand its application in macroeconomics, corporate strategy, and sociopolitical analysis. You effortlessly comprehend terms like 均衡縮小 (kinkou shukushou - shrinking equilibrium) or 縮小再生産 (shukushou saiseisan - contracting reproduction) in economic contexts. You can use it metaphorically to describe the narrowing of perspectives or the reduction of influence, such as 権限の縮小 (kengen no shukushou - reduction of authority). At this advanced stage, you are sensitive to the register and tone of the word, knowing exactly when to use the formal 縮小 versus the more colloquial 縮む (chidijmu). You can seamlessly integrate it into complex grammatical structures, such as '需要が縮小しつつある中で、新たな戦略が求められている' (As demand continues to shrink, new strategies are required). C1 learners use 縮小 not just to convey information, but to construct sophisticated arguments about trends, policies, and societal shifts. Your usage reflects a deep cultural understanding of Japan's current socioeconomic climate, where 'shrinking' is a pervasive theme.
무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기
At the C2 level, you possess absolute mastery over 縮小 (shukushou) and its entire semantic field. You can critically analyze literature, academic papers, and legal documents where the term is used with strict definitional precision. You understand the historical and etymological weight of the kanji and can play with its meaning in creative or rhetorical ways. You are capable of debating the socioeconomic implications of a 縮小社会 (shukushou shakai - shrinking society) with native experts, employing a vast array of related vocabulary, idioms, and advanced grammar. You can discern the subtle ideological differences when a politician uses 縮小 versus 合理化 (gourika - rationalization) to describe the same policy. At this pinnacle of language proficiency, 縮小 is merely one tool in an extensive arsenal, used with perfect timing, appropriate register, and flawless grammatical execution. You can write comprehensive reports, deliver keynote speeches, and engage in high-stakes negotiations where the precise articulation of 'reduction in scale' is critical to the outcome. Your understanding transcends translation, existing purely within the conceptual framework of the Japanese language.
무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기
연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

縮小 30초 만에

  • Reduces physical size or abstract scale.
  • Used digitally for 'zoom out' or 'shrink'.
  • Common in business for 'downsizing'.
  • Opposite of 拡大 (kakudai - expansion).
The Japanese word 縮小 (shukushou) is a highly versatile and frequently used noun that fundamentally refers to the act of reducing the size, scale, or scope of something. When you encounter this word in daily life, business contexts, or digital environments, it consistently carries the core meaning of making something smaller or less extensive than it originally was. Understanding the nuances of 縮小 requires a deep dive into its kanji components, its common applications, and the subtle ways it differs from other words related to reduction or decrease. The first kanji, 縮 (shuku), means to shrink, contract, or reduce. It visually and conceptually represents the idea of drawing things closer together, minimizing distance or volume. The second kanji, 小 (shou), is one of the most basic characters in the Japanese language, meaning small or little. Together, these two characters form a powerful compound that leaves no ambiguity about its meaning: to make small by shrinking. This word is not just limited to physical objects; in fact, its abstract applications are arguably more common and important for language learners to master.
Physical Reduction
Refers to making tangible objects or digital images smaller in dimensions.

画像を縮小する。

For instance, in the corporate world, 縮小 is frequently used to discuss the downsizing of operations, the reduction of budgets, or the scaling back of ambitious projects. When a company faces financial difficulties, management might announce a 事業縮小 (jigyou shukushou), which translates to a reduction in business operations.
Business Downsizing
Used when companies reduce their scope or workforce to save costs.

事業を縮小する。

In the digital realm, anyone who has used Japanese software or navigated a Japanese website has likely seen this word. It is the standard term for zooming out or shrinking an image, document, or window. If you want to make a photograph smaller on your screen, you look for the 縮小 button. Beyond business and technology, 縮小 appears in discussions about demographics, such as the shrinking population (人口縮小), and environmental issues, like the reduction of habitats.
Abstract Scaling
Applying the concept of shrinking to non-physical concepts like time or influence.

規模が縮小された。

The versatility of 縮小 makes it an essential vocabulary word for learners aiming for fluency. It bridges the gap between everyday practical language and more advanced, formal discourse. To fully grasp its usage, it is helpful to examine it alongside its antonym, 拡大 (kakudai), which means expansion or enlargement. These two words are often learned together as a pair, representing the fundamental concepts of growing and shrinking.

予算の縮小が決定した。

Furthermore, 縮小 is often used with the verb する (suru) to form the verb 縮小する (shukushou suru), meaning to reduce or to shrink. This turns the noun into an actionable concept, allowing speakers to describe the process of reduction actively. For example, you might say '予算を縮小する' (yosan o shukushou suru), meaning 'to reduce the budget.' The passive form, 縮小される (shukushou sareru), is also common, particularly in news reports or formal announcements where the agent of the action is less important than the result.

被害を縮小させる。

In summary, 縮小 is a foundational concept in Japanese that applies to physical size, abstract scale, digital dimensions, and organizational structures. Its clear kanji roots make it relatively easy to remember, while its broad range of applications ensures that you will encounter it frequently in both spoken and written Japanese. Mastering this word will significantly enhance your ability to understand news, navigate software, and participate in complex discussions about changes in size or scope. It is a word that truly encapsulates the idea of making things smaller, tighter, and more compact, reflecting a vital aspect of communication in any language.
Using 縮小 (shukushou) correctly in Japanese requires an understanding of its grammatical function as a 'suru-verb' noun, as well as its common collocations and contexts. Because it is a noun that represents an action or state of change, it is most frequently paired with the verb する (suru) to indicate the act of reducing or shrinking something. When you want to say that you are reducing the size of an image, you would say 画像を縮小する (gazou o shukushou suru). The particle を (o) is used to mark the object that is being reduced.
Transitive Usage
Using the word with 'o suru' to actively reduce an object.

写真を縮小して保存する。

However, 縮小 can also be used intransitively to describe something that is shrinking on its own or as a result of external forces without explicitly stating the actor. In this case, you would use the particle が (ga) followed by 縮小する. For example, 市場が縮小している (shijou ga shukushou shite iru) means 'the market is shrinking.' This distinction between transitive and intransitive usage is crucial for natural-sounding Japanese.
Intransitive Usage
Describing a state where something is naturally or passively shrinking.

需要が縮小している。

Another very common way to use 縮小 is in compound nouns. Japanese is famous for stringing kanji together to create specific terms, and 縮小 is a frequent building block. For instance, 縮小コピー (shukushou kopii) means a reduced-size photocopy. 縮小版 (shukushouban) refers to a miniature edition or a scaled-down version of a product or publication.
Compound Nouns
Combining with other nouns to specify the type of reduction.

この辞書の縮小版を買った。

When discussing plans or policies, you might hear 縮小策 (shukushousaku), meaning a policy of reduction or retrenchment. In formal writing or business presentations, you will often encounter the passive form 縮小される (shukushou sareru). This is used when a decision has been made by a higher authority or an organization to reduce something, and the focus is on the outcome rather than who made the decision.

プロジェクトは縮小される予定です。

For example, 予算が縮小された (yosan ga shukushou sareta) means 'the budget was reduced.' It sounds more professional and objective than saying 'they reduced the budget.' Additionally, you can use 縮小 to modify other nouns using the particle の (no). 縮小の傾向 (shukushou no keikou) means 'a shrinking trend' or 'a tendency toward reduction.' This is highly useful in academic or analytical contexts.

経済は縮小の傾向にある。

To master the usage of 縮小, practice combining it with different particles and verbs. Pay attention to whether the context requires an active reduction (を縮小する), a passive state (が縮小する), or a formal announcement (縮小される). By understanding these grammatical patterns, you can deploy this essential vocabulary word accurately and confidently in a wide variety of situations, from casual conversations about resizing photos to high-level business negotiations about company restructuring. The key is to remember its core meaning of 'making smaller' and apply the appropriate Japanese grammatical structures to express how and why that reduction is happening.
The word 縮小 (shukushou) is ubiquitous in modern Japanese society, appearing across a wide spectrum of contexts ranging from everyday digital interactions to high-level economic discourse. One of the most common places you will encounter this word is on your computer or smartphone screen. In any Japanese user interface, 縮小 is the standard label for the 'zoom out' or 'reduce size' function. Whether you are viewing a map, reading a PDF document, or editing a photograph, the magnifying glass icon with a minus sign will almost always be accompanied by the word 縮小.
Digital Interfaces
Used in software to indicate zooming out or shrinking elements.

画面を縮小して全体を見る。

Beyond technology, the business world is another major domain where 縮小 is frequently heard. During corporate meetings, financial reports, and news broadcasts, executives and journalists use this word to describe the scaling back of operations. If a company is closing branches or reducing its workforce, the news will report it as a 事業縮小 (jigyou shukushou - business downsizing).
Business News
Commonly used in economic reports regarding downsizing.

その企業は海外事業を縮小した。

Similarly, discussions about national or local budgets often involve the term 予算縮小 (yosan shukushou - budget reduction). In these contexts, the word carries a serious, formal tone, indicating strategic decisions made in response to economic pressures. Another critical area where 縮小 is constantly used is in demographic and social discussions. Japan is well-known for its declining birth rate and aging population, a phenomenon frequently described using the phrase 人口縮小 (jinkou shukushou - population shrinkage) or 市場の縮小 (shijou no shukushou - shrinking of the market).
Demographics
Used to describe societal changes like population decline.

日本の労働市場は縮小している。

When politicians or sociologists debate the future of the country, this word is unavoidable. It succinctly captures the reality of a society that is contracting in size and economic output. You will also hear 縮小 in environmental contexts. Reports on climate change might discuss the 縮小 of the polar ice caps or the reduction of natural habitats for endangered species.

森林の面積が年々縮小している。

In everyday life, you might hear it at a print shop when asking for a 縮小コピー (shukushou kopii - reduced-size copy) of a document to fit it onto a smaller piece of paper. Even in casual conversation, if someone is talking about moving to a smaller apartment to save money, they might describe it as 生活の縮小 (seikatsu no shukushou - downsizing one's lifestyle).

A4からB5へ縮小コピーをお願いします。

Because it spans such a wide variety of topics—from the mundane task of printing a document to complex macroeconomic analysis—縮小 is a word that learners will encounter repeatedly. By paying attention to the context in which it is used, you can gain a deeper appreciation for how Japanese society discusses change, reduction, and efficiency. Whether you are reading a newspaper, navigating a website, or listening to a news broadcast, keeping an ear out for 縮小 will help you stay informed and improve your comprehension of both the language and the culture.
When learning the word 縮小 (shukushou), Japanese learners often make a few predictable mistakes, primarily related to confusing it with similar words, misusing its grammatical structures, or misapplying it to contexts where other terms would be more natural. One of the most frequent errors is confusing 縮小 with 減少 (genshou) or 低下 (teika). While all these words relate to the concept of 'going down' or 'becoming less,' they are used in distinct contexts. 縮小 specifically refers to a reduction in size, scale, or scope.
Confusing with Genshou
Using shukushou for simple numerical decreases instead of scale.

❌ 人数が縮小した。
⭕ 人数が減少した。

減少 (genshou), on the other hand, is used for a decrease in number or quantity. For example, you would say 人口が減少する (jinkou ga genshou suru) for 'the population decreases (in number),' but you might say 経済規模が縮小する (keizai kibo ga shukushou suru) for 'the scale of the economy shrinks.' Using 縮小 to describe a simple drop in temperature, price, or a specific countable number sounds unnatural to native speakers. Another common mistake involves the transitive and intransitive usage of the verb form.
Particle Errors
Mixing up 'o' and 'ga' when describing the reduction.

❌ 画像が縮小する。(When you are the one doing it)
⭕ 画像を縮小する。

Learners sometimes use the particle を (o) when they should use が (ga), or vice versa. If you are actively making something smaller, you must use を縮小する (o shukushou suru). If something is shrinking on its own, you use が縮小する (ga shukushou suru). Saying 画像が縮小する when you mean 'I will shrink the image' is grammatically incorrect and confusing. Furthermore, learners sometimes struggle with the pronunciation, particularly the long vowel sound at the end.
Pronunciation
Failing to elongate the final 'ou' sound.

Pay attention to the long 'ou' in shukushou.

It is 'shukushou' with a long 'o' sound, not 'shukusho'. In Japanese, vowel length is phonemic, meaning that changing the length of a vowel can change the meaning of a word or render it incomprehensible. Another subtle mistake is overusing 縮小 in casual conversation when simpler words like 小さくする (chiisaku suru - to make small) would be more appropriate.

❌ 服を縮小して。
⭕ 服を小さくして。

While 縮小 is perfectly fine for digital interfaces or business talk, saying 'ケーキを縮小して' (shrink the cake) instead of 'ケーキを小さく切って' (cut the cake smaller) sounds overly formal and slightly comical. 縮小 carries a technical or formal nuance, so it is best reserved for abstract concepts, business operations, digital media, and formal writing. By being mindful of these distinctions—especially the difference between scale (縮小) and quantity (減少)—learners can avoid these common pitfalls and use the vocabulary much more naturally and effectively.
To fully master the concept of reduction in Japanese, it is essential to understand how 縮小 (shukushou) relates to and differs from other similar words. The Japanese language is rich in vocabulary describing decrease, shrinkage, and reduction, and choosing the right word depends heavily on the specific context. As mentioned previously, the most common point of confusion is with 減少 (genshou). While 縮小 refers to a reduction in size, scale, or scope, 減少 strictly refers to a decrease in number, amount, or quantity.
減少 (Genshou)
Decrease in quantity or number.

売上が減少した。(Sales decreased.)

If you are talking about the number of students in a school dropping, you use 減少. If you are talking about the school closing down half of its campus, you use 縮小. Another closely related word is 低下 (teika), which means a decline, fall, or lowering. 低下 is used when talking about quality, degree, or level. For example, 学力の低下 (gakuryoku no teika) means a decline in academic ability, and 気温の低下 (kion no teika) means a drop in temperature.
低下 (Teika)
Decline in level, quality, or degree.

サービスの質が低下した。(Service quality declined.)

You would never use 縮小 to describe a drop in temperature or quality. Then there is 削減 (sakugen), which translates to a cut or reduction, usually referring to intentional cuts made to budgets, costs, or personnel. 削減 implies a deliberate action taken to trim excess.
削減 (Sakugen)
Intentional cutting of costs, budget, or staff.

コストを削減する。(Cut costs.)

While a company might implement a 事業縮小 (business downsizing), the specific act of cutting the budget is 予算削減 (budget cut). 縮小 is the broader concept of the scale getting smaller, while 削減 is the specific action of cutting away. Another word to know is 短縮 (tanshuku), which means shortening or reduction, but specifically in relation to time or length.

営業時間を短縮する。(Shorten business hours.)

If a meeting is made shorter, it is 時間の短縮 (jikan no tanshuku). You use 短縮 for time and distance, whereas 縮小 is for area, volume, and abstract scale. Finally, for physical objects shrinking due to natural causes (like a wool sweater in the wash), the native Japanese verb 縮む (chidijmu) is used. 縮小 is the Sino-Japanese (kango) equivalent, carrying a more formal or technical tone.

セーターが縮んだ。(The sweater shrank.)

Understanding these distinctions—減少 for numbers, 低下 for levels, 削減 for cuts, 短縮 for time, and 縮小 for scale—will dramatically improve the precision and naturalness of your Japanese. It allows you to express exactly what kind of reduction is happening, showcasing a high level of vocabulary mastery.

How Formal Is It?

난이도

알아야 할 문법

Suru-verbs (Noun + する)

Transitive vs. Intransitive verbs (を vs が)

Passive voice (〜される) for administrative decisions

Noun modification (〜の縮小)

Tendency/Trend (〜傾向にある)

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

수준별 예문

1

画像を縮小します。

I will shrink the image.

Verb: 縮小する (shukushou suru) - to reduce/shrink.

2

これを縮小してください。

Please reduce this.

Request form: 〜てください (~te kudasai).

3

縮小ボタンを押します。

Press the reduce button.

Noun modifying noun: 縮小ボタン (reduce button).

4

サイズを縮小する。

Reduce the size.

Particle を (o) marks the object.

5

縮小できますか？

Can you reduce it?

Potential form: できる (dekiru).

6

縮小コピーをします。

I will make a reduced copy.

Compound noun: 縮小コピー (reduced copy).

7

画面が縮小しました。

The screen shrank.

Past tense: しました (shimashita).

8

縮小は簡単です。

Reducing is easy.

Topic marker は (wa).

1

写真のサイズを縮小しました。

I reduced the size of the photo.

Noun の Noun: 写真のサイズ (size of the photo).

2

この地図を縮小して見ましょう。

Let's zoom out on this map and look.

Te-form for sequence: 縮小して (reduce and...).

3

文字が大きすぎるので、縮小してください。

The text is too big, so please reduce it.

Reason marker ので (node).

4

A4からB5に縮小コピーをお願いします。

Please make a reduced copy from A4 to B5.

Directional particle に (ni).

5

イベントの規模が縮小されました。

The scale of the event was reduced.

Passive form: 縮小される (to be reduced).

6

予算がないため、計画を縮小します。

Because there is no budget, we will scale back the plan.

Reason marker ため (tame).

7

拡大と縮小のボタンはどこですか？

Where are the enlarge and reduce buttons?

Conjunction と (to) linking nouns.

8

ウィンドウを縮小して、別のアプリを開く。

Minimize the window and open another app.

Te-form linking actions.

1

今年の祭りは規模を縮小して行われます。

This year's festival will be held on a reduced scale.

Te-form adverbial usage: 縮小して (in a reduced manner).

2

会社の業績が悪化し、事業を縮小することになった。

The company's performance worsened, and it was decided to downsize the business.

Decision structure: ことになった (it was decided that).

3

人口の縮小は日本にとって大きな問題です。

The shrinking population is a major problem for Japan.

Noun usage representing a phenomenon.

4

被害を最小限に縮小するための対策が必要です。

Measures are needed to reduce the damage to a minimum.

Purpose marker ための (tame no).

5

その市場は年々縮小傾向にあります。

That market is on a shrinking trend year by year.

Compound noun: 縮小傾向 (shrinking trend).

6

画像を縮小しても、画質は落ちません。

Even if you shrink the image, the quality does not drop.

Concessive form: 〜ても (~te mo - even if).

7

生産ラインが縮小された影響で、品薄になっている。

Due to the effect of the production line being reduced, items are in short supply.

Noun modification with passive verb: 縮小された影響 (effect of being reduced).

8

計画の縮小を余儀なくされました。

We were forced to scale back the plan.

Expression: 余儀なくされる (to be forced to).

1

少子高齢化に伴い、国内市場の縮小が懸念されている。

Along with the declining birthrate and aging population, the shrinking of the domestic market is a concern.

Formal conjunction: に伴い (ni tomonai - along with).

2

経営陣は、不採算部門の縮小を決定した。

The management team decided to downsize the unprofitable divisions.

Formal vocabulary: 不採算部門 (unprofitable division).

3

軍備縮小の条約が締結された。

An arms reduction treaty was signed.

Specific terminology: 軍備縮小 (arms reduction).

4

予算の縮小にもかかわらず、プロジェクトは成功を収めた。

Despite the budget reduction, the project achieved success.

Concessive conjunction: にもかかわらず (ni mo kakawarazu - despite).

5

その企業は事業を縮小しつつ、新たな分野への投資を始めている。

While downsizing its operations, the company is starting to invest in new fields.

Simultaneous action: 〜つつ (~tsutsu - while).

6

格差の縮小に向けた具体的な政策が求められる。

Concrete policies aimed at reducing inequality are required.

Directional phrase: に向けた (ni muketa - aimed at).

7

地方都市では、公共交通機関の縮小が深刻な問題となっている。

In regional cities, the reduction of public transportation has become a serious problem.

Resultative state: となっている (has become).

8

データサイズを縮小することで、通信速度を向上させることができる。

By reducing the data size, communication speed can be improved.

Means/Method: ことで (koto de - by doing).

1

縮小社会における新たなビジネスモデルの構築が急務である。

Building a new business model in a shrinking society is an urgent task.

Formal locative: における (ni okeru - in/at).

2

企業は単なる規模の縮小ではなく、抜本的な構造改革を断行すべきだ。

Companies should carry out radical structural reforms, not just a mere reduction in scale.

Contrastive structure: ではなく (de wa naku - not A but B).

3

日銀の金融政策は、量的緩和の縮小へと舵を切った。

The Bank of Japan's monetary policy has steered towards the tapering of quantitative easing.

Metaphorical phrasing: 舵を切る (kaji o kiru - to steer towards).

4

貿易摩擦の影響で、世界経済は縮小均衡に陥るリスクがある。

Due to the impact of trade friction, there is a risk that the global economy will fall into a shrinking equilibrium.

Advanced economic term: 縮小均衡 (shrinking equilibrium).

5

権限の縮小を恐れる官僚機構の抵抗は根強い。

The resistance of the bureaucracy, which fears a reduction of its authority, is deeply rooted.

Complex noun modification: 権限の縮小を恐れる官僚機構.

6

その政策は、結果的に貧富の差の縮小に寄与したと評価されている。

The policy is evaluated as having ultimately contributed to the reduction of the wealth gap.

Formal evaluation: と評価されている (is evaluated as).

7

事業の縮小再生産を避けるためには、イノベーションが不可欠だ。

Innovation is essential to avoid the contracting reproduction of the business.

Marxist economic term: 縮小再生産 (contracting reproduction).

8

メディアの多様性が縮小することは、民主主義にとって脅威である。

The shrinking of media diversity is a threat to democracy.

Nominalization with こと (koto) acting as a subject.

1

人口減少に伴う内需の構造的縮小は、もはや不可避の現実として受け止めるほかない。

The structural shrinking of domestic demand accompanying population decline must now be accepted as an inevitable reality.

Advanced grammar: ほかない (hoka nai - have no choice but to).

2

当該企業のリストラ策は、単なる経費削減にとどまらず、事業ドメインの戦略的縮小を意図したものである。

The company's restructuring plan is not limited to mere cost-cutting, but is intended as a strategic downsizing of its business domain.

Formal limitation: にとどまらず (ni todomarazu - not limited to).

3

国家主権の縮小を伴うグローバル化の波に対し、排外主義的な反発が強まっている。

Xenophobic backlash is strengthening against the wave of globalization that entails the reduction of national sovereignty.

Concomitant action: を伴う (o tomonau - accompanied by).

4

宇宙の膨張がいつか反転し、大収縮（ビッグクランチ）へと向かうという縮小宇宙論も存在する。

There also exists a shrinking universe theory stating that the expansion of the universe will eventually reverse and head towards a Big Crunch.

Scientific/Academic context: 縮小宇宙論 (shrinking universe theory).

5

彼の文学作品において、空間の縮小は主人公の心理的閉塞感を見事に象徴している。

In his literary works, the shrinking of space brilliantly symbolizes the protagonist's sense of psychological confinement.

Literary analysis vocabulary: 象徴している (symbolizes).

6

福祉予算の段階的縮小は、社会的弱者のセーフティネットを根底から揺るがす暴挙と言わざるを得ない。

The phased reduction of the welfare budget must be called an outrage that fundamentally shakes the safety net for the socially vulnerable.

Strong assertion: 言わざるを得ない (cannot help but say).

7

自己の認識論的枠組みを縮小させることで、かえって対象の本質が明証的に現れるという逆説。

The paradox that by shrinking one's epistemological framework, the essence of the object paradoxically appears with evident clarity.

Philosophical terminology: 認識論的枠組み (epistemological framework).

8

軍拡競争の果てにあるのは破滅のみであり、多国間協調による軍備縮小体制の構築が人類の至上命題である。

At the end of an arms race lies only ruin; the construction of an arms reduction regime through multilateral cooperation is humanity's supreme imperative.

Highly formal rhetoric: 至上命題 (supreme imperative).

동의어

削減 減少 収縮 短縮 低減

자주 쓰는 조합

規模を縮小する (reduce the scale)
事業縮小 (business downsizing)
縮小コピー (reduced copy)
予算の縮小 (budget reduction)
縮小傾向 (shrinking trend)
画像を縮小する (shrink an image)
軍備縮小 (arms reduction)
縮小を余儀なくされる (forced to downsize)
格差の縮小 (reduction of inequality)
縮小社会 (shrinking society)

자주 쓰는 구문

規模を縮小して開催する (hold on a reduced scale)
縮小を余儀なくされる (be forced to downsize)
縮小傾向にある (be on a shrinking trend)
事業を縮小する (downsize a business)
画像を縮小表示する (display an image in reduced size)
A4に縮小して印刷する (print reduced to A4 size)
被害を最小限に縮小する (reduce damage to a minimum)
縮小再生産に陥る (fall into contracting reproduction)
軍備縮小条約 (arms reduction treaty)
ウィンドウを縮小する (minimize a window)

자주 혼동되는 단어

縮小 vs 減少 (genshou) - Decrease in quantity/number, not scale.

縮小 vs 低下 (teika) - Decline in quality/level, not size.

縮小 vs 削減 (sakugen) - Intentional cutting of costs/resources.

관용어 및 표현

"均衡縮小 (shrinking equilibrium)"
"縮小均衡 (shrinking equilibrium)"
"縮小再生産 (contracting reproduction)"
"軍備縮小 (arms reduction)"
"事業縮小 (business downsizing)"
"予算縮小 (budget cuts)"
"規模縮小 (scale reduction)"
"人口縮小 (population decline)"
"市場縮小 (market shrinkage)"
"縮小社会 (shrinking society)"

혼동하기 쉬운

縮小 vs

縮小 vs

縮小 vs

縮小 vs

縮小 vs

문장 패턴

무료 가입하고 모든 예문 보기

사용법

nuance

縮小 implies a reduction in the overall framework, scale, or dimensions. It is more comprehensive than just a drop in numbers.

formality

Highly appropriate for business, academic, and news contexts.

colloquialism

Rarely used for casual, everyday physical shrinking (like clothes in the wash), where 縮む (chidijmu) is preferred.

자주 하는 실수
  • Using 縮小 for a decrease in numbers (e.g., 人数が縮小した).
  • Using 縮小 for clothes shrinking in the wash.
  • Pronouncing it 'shukusho' with a short 'o'.
  • Using 縮小 for shortening time.
  • Confusing the particles を and が with the suru-verb.

팁

Particle Choice Matters

Always check if you are actively reducing something or if it is shrinking on its own. Use を (o) for active (画像を縮小する). Use が (ga) for passive/natural (市場が縮小する). Mixing these up changes the meaning entirely. Practice both forms to build muscle memory.

Learn the Antonym

Never learn 縮小 in isolation. Always pair it with 拡大 (kakudai - expansion). They are the yin and yang of size and scale in Japanese. If you know one, you must know the other. This helps immensely with digital interfaces.

Not for Numbers

Do not use 縮小 when talking about pure numbers going down. If the price drops, or the number of people decreases, use 減少 (genshou) or 下がる (sagaru). 縮小 is for the scale, size, or scope of a thing. Keep numbers and scale separate in your mind.

Elongate the Vowel

The 'ou' at the end of shukushou is a long vowel. Hold the 'o' sound for two beats. Failing to do so can make you misunderstood. Practice saying it slowly: shu-ku-sho-o.

The Shrinking Society

Pay attention to the phrase 縮小社会 (shukushou shakai). It means 'shrinking society' and is a massive topic in Japan. Using this phrase in an essay or high-level conversation shows deep cultural awareness. It refers to Japan's population decline.

Your Computer is a Teacher

Change your phone or computer language to Japanese. You will see 縮小 everywhere when zooming or resizing. This daily exposure will cement the kanji in your brain. It is the most practical way to learn this word.

Kanji Breakdown

Look at the kanji: 縮 (shrink) + 小 (small). The second kanji is one of the first you ever learn. Use it as an anchor. If you see a complex kanji followed by 小, guess that it means making something smaller.

Polite Downsizing

In business, saying a company is doing 事業縮小 (jigyou shukushou) is the standard, professional way to say they are downsizing or doing layoffs. It is objective and formal. Use this instead of emotional or casual terms in a professional setting.

Kibo o Shukushou

Memorize the phrase 規模を縮小する (kibo o shukushou suru - to reduce the scale). This is the most natural way to talk about making an event, project, or business smaller. It sounds incredibly fluent.

Not for Clothes

Never say your shirt 'shukushou-ed' in the dryer. It sounds like your shirt underwent corporate restructuring. Use 縮む (chidijmu) for physical objects shrinking naturally. Save 縮小 for abstract concepts, business, and digital media.

암기하기

기억법

Imagine a SHOE (shu) that is too COOL (ku) to SHOW (shou) because it shrank in the wash and is now too small.

어원

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

문화적 맥락

The phrase 'shukushou shakai' (shrinking society) is a common academic and journalistic term for Japan's demographic future.

In business, 'jigyou shukushou' (business downsizing) is a polite but serious way to announce layoffs or branch closures without using harsher words.

In all Japanese software, 縮小 is the universal standard for 'zoom out' or 'minimize'.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

대화 시작하기

"スマホの画面で文字を縮小する方法を知っていますか？ (Do you know how to reduce the text size on a smartphone screen?)"

"日本の人口縮小についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about Japan's shrinking population?)"

"最近、会社の事業が縮小されていると聞きました。 (I heard the company's business is being downsized recently.)"

"この書類、B5サイズに縮小コピーしてくれますか？ (Can you make a reduced copy of this document to B5 size?)"

"イベントの規模が縮小されて残念ですね。 (It's a shame the scale of the event was reduced, isn't it?)"

일기 주제

Describe a time when you had to scale back (縮小) your plans. What happened?

Write about the pros and cons of a 'shrinking society' (縮小社会).

Explain how to resize (縮小) an image on your favorite software in Japanese.

Have you ever experienced a company downsizing (事業縮小)? How did it affect the workers?

Discuss how environmental damage can be reduced (縮小) in your local area.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No, it sounds unnatural. 縮小 is used for scale, business, or digital images. For clothes shrinking, use the native Japanese verb 縮む (chidijmu). Saying '服が縮小した' sounds like a corporate restructuring of your shirt. Stick to '服が縮んだ' for laundry mishaps. Save 縮小 for your computer or business meetings.

This is a very common point of confusion. 縮小 (shukushou) refers to a reduction in size, scale, or scope. 減少 (genshou) refers to a decrease in number or quantity. You shrink (縮小) a business or an image. You decrease (減少) the population count or the number of sales. Remember: 縮小 is for scale, 減少 is for numbers.

It can be both, depending on the particle you use. If you use を (o), as in 画像を縮小する, it is transitive (you are shrinking the image). If you use が (ga), as in 市場が縮小する, it is intransitive (the market is shrinking). This flexibility makes it very useful. Just be careful to use the correct particle for your intended meaning.

The direct antonym is 拡大 (kakudai), which means expansion or enlargement. These two words are almost always taught together. On a computer screen, 拡大 is zoom in, and 縮小 is zoom out. In business, 拡大 is expanding operations, and 縮小 is downsizing. Memorizing them as a pair is highly recommended.

In the context of digital interfaces, 'zoom out' is exactly 縮小 (shukushou). You will see this word on buttons and menus in software. You can say 画面を縮小する (gamen o shukushou suru) to mean 'zoom out on the screen'. The opposite, 'zoom in', is 拡大 (kakudai).

縮小コピー (shukushou kopii) means a reduced-size photocopy. If you have an A4 document and you want it printed on smaller B5 paper, you ask for a 縮小コピー. It is a very common phrase to use at convenience stores or print shops in Japan. The opposite is 拡大コピー (kakudai kopii).

No, 縮小 is not used for time. If you want to say that a meeting was shortened or time was reduced, you should use 短縮 (tanshuku). 縮小 is strictly for physical size, area, volume, or abstract scale like business operations. Using it for time will confuse native speakers.

Japan is currently experiencing a declining birthrate and an aging population. This leads to a shrinking workforce and a shrinking domestic market. Therefore, the news constantly discusses the 縮小 of the economy, regional cities, and public services. It is a key word for understanding Japan's current socioeconomic challenges.

Yes, it is a Sino-Japanese word (kango), which generally carries a more formal, written, or technical tone than native Japanese words (wago). It is perfectly normal in business, news, and digital interfaces. However, in casual conversation about physical objects, people might just say 小さくする (chiisaku suru - make small).

It is pronounced 'shukushou'. The most important part is the final 'ou' sound, which is a long vowel. It should sound like 'shoo-koo-show' (with 'show' drawn out). If you cut the last vowel short and say 'shukusho', it sounds like a different word (like 宿所 - lodgings). Always elongate the final 'o'.

무료 가입하고 팁과 노트 보기

셀프 테스트 180 질문

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

무료 가입하고 연습하기

관련 콘텐츠

도움이 되었나요?

댓글 (0)

로그인하여 댓글 달기
아직 댓글이 없습니다. 첫 번째로 생각을 공유하세요!