syun1朘
Jyutpingsyun1
Yalesyūn
Definition
To reduce or lessen; to wane.
writtendescriptionsmoney
How it's used
Primarily used in formal or literary contexts to describe a gradual decrease in size, volume, or profit. It is rarely heard in casual daily speech, where words like 縮 or 減 are preferred. When used, it often implies a negative trend or a loss of value.
Examples
The market has shrunk a lot, business is very hard to do.
Related words
Common phrases
profit margins shrinking
scale of operations reducing
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 縮, which is the standard colloquial term for shrinking. Using 朘 in casual conversation can sound overly academic or pretentious.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
