1.
to huddle up; to curl up (from cold)
to make oneself small, typically from cold
寒くて体が縮こまる。
I'm huddling up from the cold.
猫が縮こまって寝ている。
The cat is sleeping curled up.
布団の中で縮こまっていた。
I was curled up inside the futon.
2.
to shrink; to cower
to become smaller from fear or nervousness
上司の前で縮こまっている。
He's cowering in front of his boss.
怒られて縮こまった。
I shrank back after being scolded.
緊張して縮こまらないで、リラックスして。
Don't tense up from nervousness—relax.
TRANSITIVITY:
Intransitive (自動詞)
USAGE:
- 寒さで縮こまる (to huddle from cold)
- 恐怖で縮こまる (to cower in fear)
NUANCE:
Vividly describes making oneself physically smaller, whether from cold (sense 1) or from psychological pressure (sense 2).
RELATED:
- 丸くなる (to curl up)
- 萎縮する (to shrink, cower - more formal)
- 縮む (to shrink, contract)