schrumpfen
to shrink
To lose size or volume, to become smaller, often through drying, cold, or washing.
EXAMPLE
Der Wollpullover ist in der heißen Wäsche leider geschrumpft.
Unfortunately, the wool sweater shrank in the hot wash.
schrumpfen
to shrink
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Meanings
schrumpfen
to shrink
To decrease in a figurative sense; to become smaller in number, value, or scope.
EXAMPLE
Durch die Wirtschaftskrise sind die Gewinne des Unternehmens stark geschrumpft.
Because of the economic crisis, the company's profits shrank sharply.
Usage tips
Perfect tense with “sein”
As a verb of change of state, 'schrumpfen' (to shrink) always forms the perfect tense with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be). It describes something changing from a larger state into a smaller one.
EXAMPLE
Meine Ersparnisse sind letztes Jahr leider stark geschrumpft.
Unfortunately, my savings shrank sharply last year.
Prepositions “auf” and “um”
To describe the extent of the reduction, 'schrumpfen' (to shrink) is often used with prepositions. 'Auf' + accusative gives the final result, while 'um' + accusative indicates the difference.
EXAMPLE
Die Zahl der Mitarbeiter ist auf 50 Personen geschrumpft.
The number of employees has shrunk to 50 people.
Context clue
You can tell whether the literal or figurative meaning is intended from the subject. If 'schrumpfen' (to shrink) refers to physical objects like clothing, it is literal. If it refers to abstract things like the economy or numbers, it is meant figuratively.
EXAMPLE
Der Apfel schrumpft in der Sonne.
The apple shrinks in the sun.
Typical collocations
In the figurative sense, 'schrumpfen' (to shrink) is often used with economic or social terms. Typical collocations are: die Wirtschaft schrumpft (the economy is shrinking), die Bevölkerung schrumpft (the population is shrinking), Gewinne schrumpfen (profits shrink), or die Hoffnung schrumpft (hope shrinks).
EXAMPLE
Seit der Krise ist die Wirtschaft des Landes kontinuierlich geschrumpft.
Since the crisis, the country's economy has been shrinking continuously.
Compare with
schrumpfen vs eingehen
to die / shrink / respond
Both words can say that clothing becomes smaller after washing. „eingehen“ is especially common for this unwanted change in a textile, while „schrumpfen“ describes any reduction in size or volume more generally. For a piece of clothing that became smaller after being washed incorrectly, „eingehen“ is often the better choice.
schrumpfen
Mein Pullover ist in der heißen Wäsche geschrumpft.
My sweater shrank in the hot wash.
eingehen
Mein Pullover ist in der heißen Wäsche eingegangen.
My sweater shrank in the hot wash.
In real life
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