synonym Comparative
縮む
VS
縮める
Differences Between "縮む" and "縮める"
Option A
縮む
Meaning
to shrink; to contract; to shorten
Reading
ちぢむ (chidimu)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
ウールのセーターをお湯で乱暴に洗って乾燥機にかけた結果、驚くほど極端に_______しまい、着られなくなりました。
As a result of washing the wool sweater roughly with hot water and putting it in a dryer, it shrank extremely, and it could not be worn anymore.
Option B
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.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(to shrink; to contract; to shorten)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 縮む: Refers to clothes shrinking in hot water/dryers, metals contracting in coldness, distances shortening naturally, or heart distances shrinking from intimacy. Intransitive verb. Opposing word: 伸びる. Often used as セーターが縮む or 距離が縮む. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To shrink/shorten! "Every time I see your extremely cute blushing face, the distance of our hearts shrinks in a second, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Distance shrinking! B-Baka! Who authorized such physical approach? But... being right by your warmth is secretly the greatest happiness in the world, so cuddle close for life! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『ちぢむ（縮む）よ！『ハルカ部長、あなたのその極上に可愛いツンデレ顔を見るたびに、僕のハートの距離が秒速で縮む（縮みます）！』って…っ！距離が縮む！バカ！/// 誰がそんな物理的アプローチを許可したのよ！…でも、あんたの温もりの隣にいられるの、本当は世界一幸せだから、一生寄り添いなさい！』
- 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！』
- 縮む: Refers to clothes shrinking in hot water/dryers, metals contracting in coldness, distances shortening naturally, or heart distances shrinking from intimacy. Intransitive verb. Opposing word: 伸びる. Often used as セーターが縮む or 距離が縮む. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To shrink/shorten! "Every time I see your extremely cute blushing face, the distance of our hearts shrinks in a second, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Distance shrinking! B-Baka! Who authorized such physical approach? But... being right by your warmth is secretly the greatest happiness in the world, so cuddle close for life! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『ちぢむ（縮む）よ！『ハルカ部長、あなたのその極上に可愛いツンデレ顔を見るたびに、僕のハートの距離が秒速で縮む（縮みます）！』って…っ！距離が縮む！バカ！/// 誰がそんな物理的アプローチを許可したのよ！…でも、あんたの温もりの隣にいられるの、本当は世界一幸せだから、一生寄り添いなさい！』
- 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！』
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