Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
缩水 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
缩水suōshuǐto shrink (in the wash)HSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #22124, Very Hard
缩水suōshuǐfig. to shrink (of profits etc)HSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #22124, Very Hard
suōshuǐ(suo1shui3)suo shui T1
  1. 1to shrink (in the wash)
  2. 2fig. to shrink (of profits etc)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

缩水(縮水)suōshuǐ(suo1shui3)

缩水 (suō shuǐ) refers to the process of something reducing in size, particularly fabrics that shrink when washed. It can also be used metaphorically to describe reductions in quantity or profits, making it a versatile term in both physical and abstract contexts.

Strokes18Frequency#22124DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of shrinking can relate to traditional practices, such as washing silk garments, which often shrink if not handled carefully. This reflects the importance of care in textile maintenance in daily life.

Memory tip

Imagine a sponge (the component '缩' suggests squeezing) that shrinks down to half its size when placed in water. This visual of something shrinking helps you remember the pronunciation 'suō' and the meaning of reducing size.

Meanings of 缩水

suōshuǐ(suo1shui3)
1to shrink (in the wash)
2fig. to shrink (of profits etc)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 缩水 means.

About 缩水

缩水Simplified
縮水Traditional
18Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 缩水

JasonAmy

Podcast: 缩水

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 缩水

Quick Contrast

减少 (jiǎn shǎo) vs 减少 (jiǎn shǎo): use 缩水 when referring specifically to physical shrinking, while 减少 is broader, applicable to any reduction.

Usage Notes

When using 缩水, be mindful of the context, as it can refer to both physical and financial reductions. Common collocations include '利润缩水' (profit shrinkage), and avoid using it in overly formal contexts where a more technical term may be appropriate.

HSK Study Tips

While 缩水 is not explicitly an HSK word, it relates to other verbs describing changes or actions. Focus on how it connects with words like '减少' (decrease) and practice using it in sentences to describe both physical and abstract changes.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 缩水 with 变小 (biàn xiǎo), which only means to become smaller. For example, saying '利润变小' (profit becomes smaller) is less idiomatic than '利润缩水' (profit shrinks).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 缩水

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 缩水, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 缩水 to you

Let me explain 缩水 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 缩水 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 缩水?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 缩水 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component characters

缩suōto withdraw
HSK 714 strokes纟
View full entry
水shuǐwater
HSK 14 strokes水
View full entry

How to say to shrink (in the wash) in Chinese

“to shrink (in the wash)” in Chinese is缩水suōshuǐ

缩水 (suō shuǐ) refers to the process of something reducing in size, particularly fabrics that shrink when washed. It can also be used metaphorically to describe reductions in quantity or profits, making it a versatile term in both physical and abstract contexts.

When to use 缩水

When using 缩水, be mindful of the context, as it can refer to both physical and financial reductions. Common collocations include '利润缩水' (profit shrinkage), and avoid using it in overly formal contexts where a more technical term may be appropriate.

缩水 or something close to it

减少 (jiǎn shǎo) vs 减少 (jiǎn shǎo): use 缩水 when referring specifically to physical shrinking, while 减少 is broader, applicable to any reduction.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 缩水 with 变小 (biàn xiǎo), which only means to become smaller. For example, saying '利润变小' (profit becomes smaller) is less idiomatic than '利润缩水' (profit shrinks).

Write 缩水

缩
水

Practice writing 缩水 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 缩水?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Frequently asked questions about 缩水

In finance, 缩水 refers to a decrease in profits or revenues, indicating that earnings have shrunk.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 缩水?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab