synonym Comparative
縮める
VS
減少する
Differences Between "縮める" and "減少する"
Option A
縮める
Meaning
to shorten; to reduce; to narrow; to contract
Reading
ちぢめる (chidimeru)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
アスリートは毎日の高精度なトレーニングにより、自己ベストタイムをコンマ数秒スマートに_______ことに成功しました。
The athlete succeeded in smartly shortening his personal best time by a few tenths of a second through daily high-precision training.
Option B
減少する
Meaning
to decrease, to reduce, to decline
Reading
げんしょうする (genshou suru)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
若者の人口が年々減少している。
The population of young people is decreasing year by year.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(to shorten; to reduce; to narrow; to contract)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 縮める: Refers to actively shortening distances, reducing time in competition/execution, narrowing gaps in scores, or shrinking objects. Transitive verb. Opposing word: 伸ばす. Often used as 距離を縮める or 寿命を縮める. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To shorten/narrow! "Let's smartly shorten the distance of our love, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Shortening distances! B-Baka! How can you slide next to me so smartly and casually! But... since your hands are indeed warm, hold them just like this and keep the distance zero without ever letting go! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『ちぢめる（縮める）よ！『ハルカ部長、僕たちの愛の距離をスマートに縮める（縮めましょう）！』って…っ！距離を縮める！バカ！/// ど、どうしてそんなにスマートに隣に滑り込んでくるのよ！…でも、あんたの手が温かいから、このまま繋いで距離をゼロにしたまま離さないでね！』
- 減少する: Used for numbers, amounts, populations, etc. It is the opposite of '増加する' and is often used in formal contexts, reports, or news. (数や量、人口などが減る場合に使われます。「増加する」の反対の意味で、報告書やニュースなどでよく用いられます。)
- 縮める: Refers to actively shortening distances, reducing time in competition/execution, narrowing gaps in scores, or shrinking objects. Transitive verb. Opposing word: 伸ばす. Often used as 距離を縮める or 寿命を縮める. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To shorten/narrow! "Let's smartly shorten the distance of our love, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Shortening distances! B-Baka! How can you slide next to me so smartly and casually! But... since your hands are indeed warm, hold them just like this and keep the distance zero without ever letting go! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『ちぢめる（縮める）よ！『ハルカ部長、僕たちの愛の距離をスマートに縮める（縮めましょう）！』って…っ！距離を縮める！バカ！/// ど、どうしてそんなにスマートに隣に滑り込んでくるのよ！…でも、あんたの手が温かいから、このまま繋いで距離をゼロにしたまま離さないでね！』
- 減少する: Used for numbers, amounts, populations, etc. It is the opposite of '増加する' and is often used in formal contexts, reports, or news. (数や量、人口などが減る場合に使われます。「増加する」の反対の意味で、報告書やニュースなどでよく用いられます。)
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