1.
to shorten; to make shorter
To reduce the length or duration of something.
会議の時間を縮めてください。
Please shorten the meeting time.
距離を縮めるために努力している。
I'm working hard to close the gap.
期間を縮めることはできますか。
Is it possible to shorten the period?
練習を重ねてタイムを縮めた。
I practiced repeatedly and improved my time.
2.
to shrink; to contract
To make something smaller by compressing or contracting it.
首を縮めて寒さに耐えた。
I hunched my neck and endured the cold.
身を縮めて雨が止むのを待った。
I huddled up and waited for the rain to stop.
縮める is a transitive verb (他動詞) meaning to make something shorter or smaller.
INTRANSITIVE PAIR: 縮む (to shrink)
- 縮む (intransitive): The sweater shrinks.
- 縮める (transitive): I shorten the time.
ASPECT (ている):
縮めている indicates the action of shortening is ongoing.
PARTICLE PATTERNS:
- [thing]を縮める — to shorten/shrink [thing]
- [distance/gap]を縮める — to close [distance/gap]
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 時間を縮める (shorten time)
- 距離を縮める (close the distance)
- 差を縮める (narrow the gap)
- 身を縮める (shrink back, cringe)
FIGURATIVE USE:
距離を縮める can mean to become closer emotionally or to catch up in a competition.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 短くする: to make short (more neutral)
- 縮小する: to reduce, scale down (formal)