1. the process of becoming smaller or shorter
收縮、縮小的過程
The contraction of the metal as it cooled caused it to crack.
金屬冷卻時的收縮導致它產生裂痕。
Muscle contraction is essential for movement.
肌肉收縮對於運動至關重要。
Contraction Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
contraction
noun
快速理解
What does "Contraction" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Contraction"?
「contraction」主要指肌肉的收縮、經濟的萎縮，以及語言中的縮略形式。
- 1
肌肉/身體收縮
EN: a tightening of a muscle
翻譯: 肌肉的緊縮或收縮。
- 2
經濟/規模縮減
EN: the process of becoming smaller or shorter
翻譯: 規模、長度或經濟活動的縮小或縮短過程。
- 3
語言縮略
EN: a shortened form of a word or words
翻譯: 將單字或片語縮短的形式，例如「can't」是「cannot」的縮寫。
- 4
醫學/分娩
EN: the tightening of the womb during childbirth
翻譯: 分娩時子宮的規律性緊縮，以幫助嬰兒出生。
小提醒：在醫學或生理學語境中，「contraction」通常指「收縮」，如肌肉或子宮收縮；在語言學中則指「縮寫」，如「I'm」。兩者意思不同，需根據上下文判斷。
發音（How to Pronounce "Contraction" in English）
How to pronounce "Contraction" in English?"Contraction" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Contraction" from YouTube Videos
English Reading with Connected Speech 📖 Vocabulary and Native Pronunciation Practice
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“next we have their, which is a contraction, or the short form of they are.”
(1 out of 3)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Contraction"?How does "Contraction" change by context?
2. a shortened form of a word or words, often marked by an apostrophe
單字或詞組的縮寫形式，常以撇號標示
"Can't" is a contraction of "cannot".
「Can't」是「cannot」的縮寫形式。
In informal writing, contractions like "I'm" and "don't" are common.
在非正式書寫中，像「I'm」和「don't」這樣的縮寫很常見。
3. a tightening feeling, especially in a muscle or the womb
緊縮的感覺，尤指肌肉或子宮
She felt a sharp contraction in her calf muscle.
她感到小腿肌肉一陣劇烈的收縮。
The doctor timed the frequency of her contractions.
醫生計算了她宮縮的頻率。
4. a reduction in economic activity or size
經濟活動或規模的縮減
The country's economy entered a period of contraction.
該國經濟進入了一段收縮期。
The contraction of the manufacturing sector led to job losses.
製造業的萎縮導致了工作機會的流失。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Contraction"?How to make natural sentences with "Contraction"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| contraction of + noun | ...的縮寫形式 | "Can't" is a contraction of "cannot". ("Can't" 是 "cannot" 的縮寫。) |
| contraction + verb | 縮寫 + 動詞 | The contraction "I'll" is followed by the base form of a verb. (縮寫 "I'll" 後面接動詞原形。) |
| muscle contraction | 肌肉收縮 | A sudden muscle contraction caused the cramp. (突然的肌肉收縮導致了抽筋。) |
| economic contraction | 經濟萎縮 | The country entered a period of economic contraction. (該國進入了經濟萎縮期。) |
| uterine contraction | 子宮收縮 | Regular uterine contractions are a sign of labor. (規律的子宮收縮是分娩的徵兆。) |
用法說明
How is "Contraction" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Contraction"?
contraction of vs contraction in
- contraction of 通常用於指出某個縮寫形式是代表哪個完整的詞或詞組，強調其來源。
- contraction in 則常用於描述在某個特定領域、文本或語境中出現的縮寫現象。
- 在正式寫作中，使用 contraction of 來定義縮寫更為精確。
- 在描述語言風格或趨勢時，contraction in 的使用更為自然。 EN: "Can't" is a contraction of "cannot". 翻譯: "Can't" 是 "cannot" 的縮寫形式。
EN:There is a noticeable increase in the use of contraction in informal emails.
翻譯:在非正式的電子郵件中，使用縮寫的情況明顯增加。
總結建議
在定義具體的縮寫時，使用 contraction of；在描述某個範圍內的縮寫使用現象時，則用 contraction in。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Contraction" and similar words?How to choose "Contraction" vs alternatives?
contraction vs abbreviation
「contraction」是透過省略字母並用撇號連接的縮寫形式，通常用於口語或非正式書寫；「abbreviation」則是任何形式的縮寫，範圍更廣，不一定包含撇號。
contraction vs elision
「contraction」是書寫和發音上都明確標示的縮約形式；「elision」主要指發音上的省略，書寫上不一定呈現。
contraction vs shortening
「contraction」特指透過合併與省略字母形成的縮約詞；「shortening」是更廣泛的「縮短」概念，可能只是截取單字的一部分。
口語用法
How is "Contraction" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Contraction"?
引述
在口語中，當引述或模仿他人說話時，常會使用縮寫形式來讓引述聽起來更自然、更像日常對話。 EN: She was like, "I can't believe he's not coming." 翻譯: 她當時說：「我不敢相信他不來了。」
EN:He goes, "I ain't gonna do that."
翻譯:他接著說：「我才不要做那種事。」
語氣強調
在非正式對話中，有時會刻意使用縮寫來表達一種隨意、親近或帶有特定情緒（如無奈、不耐煩）的語氣。 EN: I'm not gonna lie, that was pretty awesome. 翻譯: 說真的，那真是太棒了。
EN:You shouldn't've done that!
翻譯:你真不該那樣做的！
停頓填充
在思考或組織語言時，說話者可能會使用縮寫形式的短語作為填充詞，以保持對話流暢，避免冷場。 EN: It's... well, it's not what I expected. 翻譯: 這…嗯，這跟我預期的不一樣。
EN:That's... y'know, that's just how it is sometimes.
翻譯:那就是…你知道的，有時候事情就是這樣。
正式書寫注意：以上口語中常見的縮寫形式（如 gonna, ain't, shouldn't've）在學術論文、商業報告或正式書信中應避免使用，應改為完整的拼寫形式（如 going to, am not/is not/are not, should not have）。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Contraction"?What fixed phrases with "Contraction" should I remember?
muscle contraction
noun + contraction
肌肉收縮
economic contraction
adjective + contraction
經濟收縮
Braxton Hicks contraction
proper noun + contraction
假性宮縮
uterine contraction
adjective + contraction
子宮收縮
cause a contraction
verb + contraction
引起收縮
grammatical contraction
adjective + contraction
文法縮略
force of contraction
noun + of + contraction
收縮力
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Contraction"?Which "Contraction" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I am not sure if its going to rain.
✓I am not sure if it's going to rain.
混淆所有格代名詞 "its" 和縮寫 "it's" (it is)。"its" 表示「它的」，沒有撇號。"it's" 是 "it is" 或 "it has" 的縮寫。
×You're book is on the table.
✓Your book is on the table.
混淆所有格形容詞 "your" 和縮寫 "you're" (you are)。"your" 表示「你的」，後面直接接名詞。"you're" 是主詞加動詞的縮寫。
×They're house is very big.
✓Their house is very big.
混淆所有格形容詞 "their" 和縮寫 "they're" (they are)。"their" 表示「他們的」，後面直接接名詞。"they're" 是主詞加動詞的縮寫。
×Who's bag is this?
✓Whose bag is this?
混淆所有格疑問詞 "whose" 和縮寫 "who's" (who is)。"whose" 用於詢問所有權，意思是「誰的」。"who's" 是 "who is" 或 "who has" 的縮寫。
×We could'nt find the keys.
✓We couldn't find the keys.
縮寫中撇號的位置錯誤。否定縮寫如 "couldn't", "wouldn't", "shouldn't"，撇號應取代被省略的字母 "o"，放在 "n" 和 "t" 之間。
×Let's go to the park, do not we?
✓Let's go to the park, shall we?
錯誤地將 "let's" (let us) 的附加問句用 "do not we?" 表示。"let's" 的標準附加問句是 "shall we?"。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Contraction"?What are tense/participle forms of "Contraction"?