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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "shortening" or "reducing" with 缩短 (suōduǎn)

    Actions & Events
    Degree & Intensity

    Structure

    Subject + 缩短 + Object

    Explanation

    缩短 (suōduǎn) means to shorten, reduce, or cut down in length or duration. It is commonly used for time, distances, or processes. For example, you might say a new policy will 缩短排队 (shorten the queue).

    Examples

    • 新的高铁线路大大缩短了两座城市之间的距离。

      xīn de gāotiě xiànlù dàdà suōduǎn le liǎng zuò chéngshì zhījiān de jùlí.

      The new high-speed rail line has greatly shortened the distance between the two cities.

    • 公司决定缩短午休时间到三十分钟。

      gōngsī juédìng suōduǎn wǔxiū shíjiān dào sānshí fēnzhōng.

      The company decided to shorten the lunch break to thirty minutes.

    • 这个软件可以帮你缩短视频的长度。

      zhège ruǎnjiàn kěyǐ bāng nǐ suōduǎn shìpín de chángdù.

      This software can help you shorten the length of a video.

    Expressing "shortening" or "reducing" with 缩短 (suōduǎn) | Chinese Grammar