Japanese

める

ちぢめる
Meaning: to shorten; to reduce; to shrink
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 縮める 縮めない
Polite 縮めます 縮めません
Past 縮めた 縮めなかった
Polite + Past 縮めました 縮めませんでした
Te-form 縮めて 縮めなくて
Potential 縮められる 縮められない
Passive 縮められる 縮められない
Causative 縮めさせる 縮めさせない
Imperative 縮めろ 縮めるな

Handwriting

縮
め
る

Example sentences

He shortened his personal record by two seconds.
理想と現実の距離を縮めるのは難しい
It is difficult to close the gap between ideal and reality.

Usage Notes

Can refer to physical length, distance, time, or records. Commonly used in sports for records.

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