To make something shorter, whether it's time, distance, or length.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Make something shorter in length or time.
- Used for time, distance, length, and gaps.
- Common in daily life and work contexts.
Overview
“缩短”是一个非常基础且常用的中文动词，它的核心意思是“使……变短”。这个“短”可以指物理上的长度，也可以指时间上的长度，还可以指距离上的长度。在日常交流中，我们经常会用到这个词来表达想要减少某事物所占用的空间、时间或距离。
“缩短”的基本结构是“缩短 + （名词/名词性短语）”。名词部分可以是表示时间、长度、距离或范围的词语。例如：缩短时间、缩短距离、缩短行程、缩短工期、缩短寿命、缩短差距等。它也可以用于描述主语主动地缩短某个事物，或者某个事物被动地被缩短。
**时间管理**
比如“我们应该缩短会议时间，提高效率。”（We should shorten the meeting time to improve efficiency.）
**旅行与交通**
比如“新的高速公路缩短了城市之间的旅行时间。”（The new highway has shortened the travel time between cities.）
**人际关系与差距**
比如“通过沟通，他们缩短了彼此的距离。”（Through communication, they shortened the distance between each other.）
**工作与项目**
比如“建筑公司正在努力缩短工程的完工日期。”（The construction company is working hard to shorten the project completion date.）
**延长 (yáncháng)**: “延长”是使长度或时间变得更长，是“缩短”的直接反义词。
“缩短”强调的是使事物的“长度”或“时间跨度”变小，而“减少”更广泛，可以指数量、程度等方面的降低。
Examples
我们可以缩短午休时间。
everydayWe can shorten the lunch break.
该技术旨在缩短产品的上市时间。
formalThis technology aims to shorten the time to market for products.
走这条路可以缩短不少路程。
informalTaking this road can shorten the journey quite a bit.
研究表明，充足的睡眠有助于缩短疾病的恢复时间。
academicResearch indicates that adequate sleep helps shorten recovery time from illness.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
缩短距离
shorten the distance
缩短时间
shorten the time
缩短工期
shorten the construction period
Often Confused With
'减少' (jiǎnshǎo) means to reduce in quantity or amount. '缩短' (suōduǎn) specifically refers to making something shorter in length, time, or distance.
'延长' (yáncháng) is the direct opposite of '缩短' (suōduǎn). It means to lengthen or extend in time or space.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
This is a versatile verb used in many contexts. It's essential for discussing efficiency, planning, and comparisons of duration or extent. The word is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse '缩短' with '减少' (reduce quantity) or use it incorrectly when they mean to '延长' (lengthen). Always consider if you are making something shorter in time, length, or distance.
Tips
Think 'shorter' for time and space.
Remember that '缩短' (suōduǎn) applies to making things like time, distance, or physical length less than they were.
Don't confuse with 'increase'.
Be careful not to use '缩短' when you mean to make something longer. The opposite is '延长' (yáncháng).
Efficiency is often key.
In Chinese culture, as in many others, the concept of '缩短' time or processes is often linked to efficiency and productivity.
Word Origin
The character '缩' (suō) means to shrink or contract, while '短' (duǎn) means short. Together, they literally mean 'to shrink short' or 'to make short'.
Cultural Context
The concept of saving time and increasing efficiency is highly valued in modern Chinese society, making '缩短' a frequently used and practical term in daily life and business.
Memory Tip
Imagine a ruler (length) and a clock (time). '缩短' means making the marks on both the ruler and the clock closer together.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“缩短”主要指使长度、时间或距离变短。而“减少”更侧重于数量上的降低，不一定涉及长度或时间。
它可以用于时间（如会议时间）、距离（如路程）、长度（如绳子）、差距（如分数差距）等多个方面。
“缩短”最直接的反义词是“延长”（yáncháng），意思是使长度或时间变长。
在日常交流、工作安排、项目管理、旅行计划等语境中都非常常用。
Test Yourself
为了节省时间，我们决定_____会议的长度。
这里指使会议的“长度”（时间）变短，所以用“缩短”。
新的高速公路大大_____了城市间的旅行时间。
高速公路的作用是使旅行时间变短，所以选择“缩短”。
把下列词语组成一个句子：时间 / 努力 / 缩短 / 我们
“我们”是主语，“努力”是副词修饰动词，“缩短”是动词，“时间”是宾语，构成“主语+状语+谓语+宾语”的结构。
Score: /3
Summary
To make something shorter, whether it's time, distance, or length.
- Make something shorter in length or time.
- Used for time, distance, length, and gaps.
- Common in daily life and work contexts.
Think 'shorter' for time and space.
Remember that '缩短' (suōduǎn) applies to making things like time, distance, or physical length less than they were.
Don't confuse with 'increase'.
Be careful not to use '缩短' when you mean to make something longer. The opposite is '延长' (yáncháng).
Efficiency is often key.
In Chinese culture, as in many others, the concept of '缩短' time or processes is often linked to efficiency and productivity.
Examples
4 of 4我们可以缩短午休时间。
We can shorten the lunch break.
该技术旨在缩短产品的上市时间。
This technology aims to shorten the time to market for products.
走这条路可以缩短不少路程。
Taking this road can shorten the journey quite a bit.
研究表明，充足的睡眠有助于缩短疾病的恢复时间。
Research indicates that adequate sleep helps shorten recovery time from illness.
