to expand and contract; to be flexible/adjustable
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to extend and contract; to stretch and retract
Describes the physical movement of an object expanding in length and then retracting.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
sān三
jiǎo脚
jià架
de的
zhōng中
zhóu轴
kě可
yǐ以
shēn伸
suō缩
，
fāng方
biàn便
tiáo调
zhěng整
gāo高
dù度
。
The center column of this tripod can extend and contract, making it easy to adjust the height.
Māo猫
de的
zhuǎ爪
zi子
néng能
gòu够
zì自
yóu由
shēn伸
suō缩
。
A cat's claws can retract and extend freely.
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Zhè这
kuǎn款
xiàng相
jī机
de的
jìng镜
tóu头
yǒu有
shēn伸
suō缩
gōng功
néng能
。
The lens of this camera has a zoom function (lit. a伸缩 function).
verb
to be flexible; to allow for adjustment; to have room for maneuver
Used abstractly to describe rules, plans, budgets, etc., that are not rigid and can be adapted.
Zhè这
gè个
xiàng项
mù目
de的
yù预
suàn算
yǒu有
yī一
dìng定
de的
shēn伸
suō缩
yú余
dì地
。
This project's budget has some room for adjustment.
Hé合
tong同
tiáo条
kuǎn款
quē缺
fá乏
shēn伸
suō缩
xìng性
，
duì对
wǒ我
men们
hěn很
bù不
lì利
。
The contract terms lack flexibility, which puts us at a disadvantage.
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Zài在
yuán原
zé则
wèn问
tí题
shàng上
，
wǒ我
men们
méi没
yǒu有
shēn伸
suō缩
de的
yú余
dì地
。
On matters of principle, we have no room for compromise.