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缩短 (suō duǎn) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 5

缩短 (suō duǎn) is a Chinese word: to shorten. This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.

Meaning of 缩短

动 dòng verb

to shorten

我们需要缩短会议时间。

wǒ men xū yào suō duǎn huì yì shí jiān

We need to shorten the meeting time.

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Word breakdown

缩 suō — to shrink, to contract, to reduce

Words with this character (13)
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短 duǎn — short (in length or duration)

Words with this character (8)
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  • 6 长短 cháng duǎn — length HSK 6
    • 长 long; represents the longer dimension
    • 短 short; represents the shorter dimension
    Example

    这条裙子的长短正合适。

    zhè tiáo qún zi de cháng duǎn zhèng hé shì

    The length of this skirt is just right.

  • 7 短暂 duǎn zàn — brief HSK 7
    • 短 short (in duration or length)
    • 暂 temporary, momentary (emphasizing fleeting nature)
    Example

    人生虽然短暂，但很精彩。

    rén shēng suī rán duǎn zàn dàn hěn jīng cǎi

    Life is brief, but wonderful.

  • 8 简短 jiǎn duǎn — brief HSK 7
    • 简 simple, concise
    • 短 short
    Example

    他的发言很简短。

    tā de fā yán hěn jiǎn duǎn

    His speech was very brief.

Structure & writing
1 缩 suō — to shrink; to become smaller, shorter, or fewer

缩 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

1.1 纟 sī — silk/thread radical
纟 is a component in 67 characters
HSK 1
给 gěi to give; to hand over to someone
HSK 2
红 hóng red (color like fresh blood) 绍 shào to continue, to carry on 绿 lǜ green (color, like flourishing grass and leaves, mixed from blue and yellow)
HSK 3
级 jí rank; grade; level 纸 zhǐ paper, usually made from plant fibers 练 liàn (lit.) white processed silk 终 zhōng end result; conclusion (opposite of 始) 结 jié to tie a knot in rope, thread, or strip of cloth; to weave by knotting
Show more HSK 3 characters (+1)
绩 jì to twist hemp fibers into thread
HSK 4
约 yuē to propose or discuss (something mutually binding) 纪 jì rules; regulations; discipline 线 xiàn thread; yarn made of silk, cotton, hemp, etc., used for sewing or knitting 组 zǔ to combine, to form 细 xì thin (of a rod-like object, opposite of 粗)
Show more HSK 4 characters (+2)
绝 jué to sever; to cut off 续 xù to connect; to continue
HSK 5
纷 fēn numerous and disorderly 织 zhī to weave (cloth or garments from silk, hemp, cotton, wool, etc.) 绕 rào to wind around; to coil around 络 luò something resembling a net 统 tǒng in total; all together; entirely
Show more HSK 5 characters (+5)
绪 xù the beginning or starting point of something (originally the end of a silk thread) 维 wéi to connect; to tie 综 zōng to summarize; to bring together 缓 huǎn slow; unhurried (opposite of 急) 缩 suō to shrink; to become smaller, shorter, or fewer
HSK 6
纠 jiū to entangle; to twist around 纯 chún pure; free from impurities 纳 nà to take in; to bring in 绒 róng soft, fine hair or down 绘 huì to draw or paint (a picture)
Show more HSK 6 characters (+1)
编 biān to weave or braid (with strips or strands)
HSK 7
纤 xiān slender; delicate; fine 纬 wěi weft; horizontal threads in woven fabric (opposite of 经) 纱 shā yarn spun from cotton, hemp, etc., used to twist into thread or weave into cloth 纲 gāng the main rope of a fishing net; the key or essential part of something (often referring to documents or speeches) 纵 zòng north-south in direction (opposite of '横')
Show more HSK 7 characters (+29)
纹 wén pattern or design on silk fabric; decorative pattern or texture in general 纺 fǎng to spin (cotton, hemp, silk, wool, etc. into yarn or thread) 纽 niǔ handle or loop on an object for lifting or hanging 绅 shēn wide sash worn over the outer garment by ancient scholar-officials 绊 bàn to trip or entangle, impeding movement; to tie someone down so they cannot get away 绑 bǎng to tie up; to bind with rope or cord 绞 jiǎo to twist two or more strands together; to entangle 绣 xiù to embroider (patterns or characters onto fabric using colored thread) 绯 fēi crimson; scarlet 绰 chuò (lit.) ample; spacious; having plenty to spare 绳 shéng rope; cord (twisted from two or more strands of cotton, hemp, palm fibre, grass, etc.) 绵 mián silk floss; raw silk wadding used for padding clothing and quilts 绷 bēng to pull taut; to stretch tight 绸 chóu silk fabric; thin and soft silk textile 绽 zhàn to split open; to burst 缀 zhuì to sew together; to stitch 缅 miǎn distant; far away 缆 lǎn thick rope or iron chain for mooring a ship; heavy cable made of twisted strands 缉 jī to search for; to pursue and arrest 缔 dì to conclude; to establish (a treaty or agreement) 缕 lǚ thread; strand 缘 yuán reason; cause 缚 fù to bind; to tie up 缝 féng to sew; to stitch together with needle and thread 缠 chán to wind around, to wrap around 缤 bīn abundant and varied (as in "缤纷") 缴 jiǎo to hand in or pay (especially when fulfilling an obligation or under compulsion) 蕴 yùn (lit.) to contain; to accumulate 辫 biàn braid; plait of hair woven from divided strands
1.2 宿 sù — to lodge; to spend the night; to sleep overnight
宿 is a component in 1 characters
HSK 5
缩 suō to shrink; to become smaller, shorter, or fewer

Stroke order

2 短 duǎn — short (opposite of 长); ① in space ② in time

短 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

2.1 矢 shǐ — arrow
矢 is a component in 9 characters
HSK 1
候 hòu to wait; to await 医 yī doctor; physician 知 zhī knowledge, learning
HSK 3
短 duǎn short (opposite of 长); ① in space ② in time 矮 ǎi short in stature
HSK 5
疾 jí illness; disease
HSK 6
矩 jǔ carpenter's square; try square used to draw right angles or rectangles
HSK 7
矣 yǐ classical sentence-final particle: ① indicating completion (equivalent to '了'), ② indicating exclamation, ③ indicating command 矫 jiǎo to correct; to straighten what is bent
2.2 豆 dòu — ancient food vessel, shallow like a plate with a handle and ring foot, mostly with a lid, made of wood or bronze
豆 is a component in 4 characters
HSK 3
短 duǎn short (opposite of 长); ① in space ② in time
HSK 4
厨 chú kitchen 登 dēng to ascend; to climb (from a lower to a higher place, usually on foot)
HSK 6
逗 dòu to tease; to provoke

Stroke order