縮める
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Base dictionary form. Ichidan verb ending in 『る』 (ru). Describes causing something to shrink.
Theme
At a tailor shop, User and their friend Ken discuss altering a pair of pants that are too long.
縮める
ちぢめる
to shorten, to reduce, to shrink (transitive)
Core Language Building BlocksCore Verbs & Actions
verbICHIDAN (ru-verb)
Memory Hook
Imagine shortening a rope by cutting it. You say, 'I'll shorten it!' — think of 'shorten' as 'chijimeru' (縮める). 'Chiji-meru' sounds like 'cheese-mellow' — mellow cheese that's been reduced in size!
Cultural Note
『縮める』 (chijimeru) is often used in contexts like tailoring clothes to make them shorter or reducing time in schedules. It reflects a practical approach to adjustments in daily life.
Forms
Base: 縮めるBase dictionary form. Ichidan verb ending in 『る』 (ru). Describes causing something to shrink.
Polite: 縮めますDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『ます』 (masu, polite marker) → 『縮めます』 (chijimemasu, 'shorten [polite]').
Negative: 縮めないDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『ない』 (nai, 'not') → 『縮めない』 (chijimenai, 'do not shorten').
Past: 縮めたDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『た』 (ta, past marker) → 『縮めた』 (chijimeta, 'shortened').
Te: 縮めてDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『て』 (te) → 『縮めて』 (chijimete). Used for requests and linking actions.
Volitional: 縮めようDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『よう』 (you, volitional) → 『縮めよう』 (chijimeyou, 'let’s shorten').
Conditional: 縮めればDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『れば』 (reba, conditional) → 『縮めれば』 (chijimereba, 'if (someone) shortens').
Potential: 縮められるAdd 『られる』 (rareru, potential) to the stem → 『縮められる』 (chijimerareru, 'can shorten').
Passive: 縮められるAdd passive marker 『られる』 (rareru) → same surface form as potential; meaning depends on context.
Causative: 縮めさせるAdd causative marker 『させる』 (saseru) → 『縮めさせる』 (chijimesaseru).
Imperative: 縮めろDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『ろ』 (ro, command) → 『縮めろ』 (chijimero).
Progressive: 縮めているTe-form 『縮めて』 (chijimete) + 『いる』 (iru, continuous) → 『縮めている』 (chijimete iru, 'is shortening').