The word captures the process of drawing inward, whether emotionally, behaviorally, or mathematically.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Restrain one's behavior or wildness.
- The fading or disappearing of smiles or light.
- Mathematical convergence toward a specific limit.
Overview
- 1概括：‘收敛’是一个多义词，核心含义在于‘向内聚拢’或‘减少向外的扩散’。它可以描述抽象的性格转变，也可以描述物理现象或数学逻辑。2) 使用模式：常用于描述人的态度、神色或光线。例如‘收敛笑容’表示停止发笑。在描述行为时，常说‘有所收敛’，表示比起以前不再那么放肆。3) 常见语境：在社交场合，指一个人变得谦虚、低调；在文学中，常描写夕阳或灯光的减弱；在科学领域，特指级数或数列趋于定值。4) 同类词比较：与‘约束’相比，‘收敛’更多指自发的、内在的收缩，而‘约束’常指外力限制；与‘节制’相比，‘收敛’侧重于状态的改变，而‘节制’侧重于对欲望的控制。
Examples
他意识到自己太张扬了，开始收敛言行。
everydayHe realized he was being too flashy and began to restrain his words and actions.
夕阳收敛了最后一道余晖。
formalThe setting sun drew in its last rays of light.
你再不收敛点，早晚要闯祸。
informalIf you don't tone it down a bit, you'll get into trouble sooner or later.
在这一区间内，该级数是绝对收敛的。
academicWithin this interval, the series is absolutely convergent.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
收敛心神
to collect one's thoughts / to concentrate
敛容
to put on a serious expression
Often Confused With
Yūshù implies external control or rules, while shōuliǎn is more about the internal fading of an attitude or state.
Wěisuō refers to physical withering or economic decline, not behavioral restraint.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '收敛' ranges from neutral to formal. In daily conversation, it is often used to criticize someone's bad behavior ('你应该收敛点'). In literature, it creates a poetic sense of fading light or emotions. In science, it is strictly a technical term for convergence.
Common Mistakes
English speakers might use '收敛' to mean 'collecting' items because 'shōu' means 'to collect'. However, '收敛' is not for gathering objects; it is for gathering in one's energy, behavior, or light.
Tips
Use it to describe personal growth
When someone becomes less arrogant or wild as they age, you can say their personality has 'shōuliǎn' (become restrained).
Avoid confusing with physical shrinking
Do not use 'shōuliǎn' for clothes shrinking in the wash; use 'shōusuō' (shrink) instead.
Reflecting Confucian modesty
In Chinese culture, 'shōuliǎn' is often seen as a virtue, reflecting the value of not showing off one's talents too much.
Word Origin
Originally, 'shōu' meant to harvest and 'liǎn' meant to gather. Over time, it evolved to describe the act of gathering in one's loose or wild spirit/behavior.
Cultural Context
In China, being 'shōuliǎn' is linked to the concept of 'Taoism' and 'Confucianism' where showing too much of oneself is considered dangerous or impolite.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Shōu' (收) as 'closing' and 'Liǎn' (敛) as 'collecting'. Imagine a bird closing its wings or a person pulling their curtains shut to hide their light.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions‘收敛’侧重于从张扬转为低调的状态变化，通常是自发的；‘约束’则侧重于限制在特定范围内，往往带有强制性。
可以。在美容领域，‘收敛水’（Toner）指的就是能使毛孔收缩、紧致皮肤的护肤品。
它指一个数列或函数随着项数的增加，无限接近于某一个确定的数值，与‘发散’（Diverge）相对。
通常是中性词。但在形容坏人‘有所收敛’时，带有改邪归正的积极意味；形容性格时，指变得成熟稳重。
Test Yourself
听到这个不幸的消息，他脸上的笑容立刻___了。
‘收敛笑容’是固定搭配，指笑容消失。
选择正确的句子：
‘行为收敛’指约束自己的言行，用法最恰当。
他 / 锋芒 / 渐渐 / 变得 / 收敛了 / 成熟 / 以后
‘收敛锋芒’是常用表达，指不再露骨地展示才华或气势。
Score: /3
Summary
The word captures the process of drawing inward, whether emotionally, behaviorally, or mathematically.
- Restrain one's behavior or wildness.
- The fading or disappearing of smiles or light.
- Mathematical convergence toward a specific limit.
Use it to describe personal growth
When someone becomes less arrogant or wild as they age, you can say their personality has 'shōuliǎn' (become restrained).
Avoid confusing with physical shrinking
Do not use 'shōuliǎn' for clothes shrinking in the wash; use 'shōusuō' (shrink) instead.
Reflecting Confucian modesty
In Chinese culture, 'shōuliǎn' is often seen as a virtue, reflecting the value of not showing off one's talents too much.
Examples
4 of 4他意识到自己太张扬了，开始收敛言行。
He realized he was being too flashy and began to restrain his words and actions.
夕阳收敛了最后一道余晖。
The setting sun drew in its last rays of light.
你再不收敛点，早晚要闯祸。
If you don't tone it down a bit, you'll get into trouble sooner or later.
在这一区间内，该级数是绝对收敛的。
Within this interval, the series is absolutely convergent.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
