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伸缩 (shēn suō) — to extend and retract, to telescope; (figuratively) to be flexible, to adjust adaptively

Definition

Means literally 'extend and retract' (e.g., a ladder, antenna, robot arm), and figuratively 'adjust flexibly' for plans or rules. Unlike 变通, the flexibility here stays inside a fixed range rather than bending the rule itself.

verb
to extend and retractto telescope(figuratively) to be flexibleto adjust adaptively

Examples

  • 伸缩。
    Zhè zhǒng tī zi kě yǐ shēn suō chéng bù tóng de cháng dù.
    This kind of ladder can be extended to different lengths.
  • 伸缩。
    Tā shè jì de jī xiè bì néng gòu shēn suō zì rú.
    The robotic arm he designed can extend and retract freely.
  • 伸缩。
    Gōng sī de jīng yíng cè lüè yào suí shí shēn suō tiáo zhěng.
    The company's business strategy needs to be flexibly adjusted anytime.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

伸shēnextend
缩suōcontract

伸 (extend) and 缩 (contract) are opposite movements combined to mean lengthening and shortening.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
亻Written in full as人rénman
Sound part声符shēngfú
申
申shēn伸shēn
Same sound today

伸 puts 亻, the side form of 人 (person), next to 申, which gives the sound.

Open 伸 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 縮; 缩 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìstring, thread
Sound part声符shēngfú
宿
宿sù縮suō
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 縮 pairs 糸 (string, thread) with 宿, which gives the sound; the simplified 缩 is a shorthand.

Open 缩 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Change & Process

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