他的错误决定，公司损失了五十万 元。Yóuyú tā de cuòwù juédìng, gōngsī sǔnshīle wǔshíwàn
yuán. Owing to his wrong decision, the company lost half a million yuan. ■ 这次水灾造 成巨大损
失。Zhè cì shuǐzāi zàochéng jùdà sǔnshī. This flooding caused huge losses.
suō 缩 TRAD 縮 V shrink (ANTONYM 胀 zhàng) ■ 棉 布下水以后会缩。Miánbù xiàshuǐ yǐhòu huì suō.
Cotton cloth will shrink in the wash.
suōduǎn 缩短 [v+compl: 缩 shrink + 短 short] V shorten ■ 由于使用了新型飞机，这段航程的时间
缩短了一小时。Yóuyú shǐyòng le xīnxíng fēijī, zhè duàn hángchéng de shíjiān suōduǎn le yī
xiǎoshí. Thanks to the use of a new model airplane, the flight time is shortened by one hour.
suǒ 所 MEASURE WORD (for houses or institutions housed in a building) 一所医院 yì suǒ yīyuàn a hospital / 两所
大学 liǎng suǒ dàxué two universities
suǒwèi 所谓 ADJ what is called, so-called ■ 他所谓的“理由”完全站不住脚。Tā suǒwèi de “lǐyóu”
wánquán zhàn bu zhù jiǎo. His so-called “reason” does not have a leg to stand on.
suǒyǐ 所以 CONJ therefore, so ■ 因为家里有事， 所以她今天没来上班。Yīnwèi jiā li yǒu shì, sǒuyǐ tā
jīntiān méi lái shàngbān. There was an emergency in her family; therefore, she did not come to
work today.
NOTE: See note on 因为 yīnwèi.
suǒyǒu 所有 ADJ all ■ 所有的朋友都反对他的计 划。Suǒyǒu de péngyou dōu fǎnduì tā de jìhuà. All
his friends are opposed to his plan.
NOTES: 所有 suǒyǒu is (1) used only as an attribute, (2) always followed by 的 de, and (3) often used
together with 都 dōu.
suǒ 索 V search
suǒpéi 索赔 [v+obj: 索 search for + 赔 compensation] V claim damages, claim indemnity
suǒqǔ 索取 [comp: 索 search + 取 take] V ask for, exact 索取报名单 suǒqǔ bàomíngdān ask for an application
form
suǒxìng 索性 ADV might as well, simply
suǒ 锁 TRAD 鎖 N & V lock ■ 门打不开，恐怕是锁 坏了。Mén dǎ bu kāi, kǒngpà shì suǒ huài le. The
door can’t be opened. I’m afraid something is wrong with the lock. ■ 离开以前一定要把办公室
的门锁上。Líkāi yǐqián yīdìng yào bǎ bàngōngshì de mén suǒ shàng. Before you leave, make sure
you lock the office door.