schrumpfen
/ˈʃrʊm(p)fən/
To shrink in German is schrumpfen.
The verb schrumpfen is an intransitive verb used to describe something contracting or becoming smaller in size. When you want to express that an external force or person is causing something to become smaller, you use the causative construction schrumpfen lassen.
Meaning: intransitive: to contract, to become smaller (verb)
Which one should you use?
While schrumpfen is used when something shrinks on its own, the phrase schrumpfen lassen is used when someone or something causes a reduction in size.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
When referring to a psychiatrist, the word Seelenklempner is an informal and derogatory term, similar to the English slang 'shrink'. For a formal way to say psychiatrist, you should use Psychiater or the more technical Facharzt/Fachärztin für Psychiatrie.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the perfect tense to say that something 'has shrunk', use the auxiliary verb sein instead of haben. For example, you would say ist geschrumpft.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃrʊm(p)fən/
Did you know?
- While schrumpfen describes the reduction in size, the related verb schrumpeln is used specifically to describe the resulting wrinkled or creased texture of skin or fabric.
- The current form of schrumpfen only became common in the 17th century, likely evolving from an older word schrimpfen.
- In German, the concept of a 'shrinking' population or budget uses the exact same verb as a physical object like a piece of cloth contracting.
Examples in context
- Die Lohntüten hörten nicht auf zu schrumpfen.Paychecks continued to shrink.This sentence shows the use of schrumpfen regarding paychecks.Tatoeba #12794775 by Yorwba, translation #5732806 by CM
- Rasante Industrialisierung könnte unsere Flüsse noch weiter schrumpfen lassen.Rapid industrialization could shrink our rivers even further.This sentence demonstrates the causative construction schrumpfen lassen.Tatoeba #12794798 by Yorwba, translation #10816789 by Amastan
- Mama geht zu einem PsychotherapeutenMom goes to a psychotherapist
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah are doing laundry together.
- LukasSoll ich dieses Hemd in den Trockner tun?Should I put this shirt in the dryer?
- SarahNein, sonst könnte es schrumpfen.No, otherwise it could shrink.
- LukasOh, ich wusste das nicht.Oh, I didn't know that.
- SarahHäng es lieber einfach an die Leine.Better just hang it on the line.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shrink” translations and entries schrumpfen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries schrumpfen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
