缩影 suōyǐng miniature version of something
miniature version of something; microcosm; epitome; (Taiwan) to microfilm
How to remember 缩影: 缩 to withdraw + 影 shadows = miniature version of something.
Characters
How it is used
- An 'epitome/microcosm' - a small thing embodying a larger whole - 这个村庄是中国农村的缩影 (zhège cūnzhuāng shì Zhōngguó nóngcūn de suōyǐng) this village is a microcosm of rural China.
- Figurative: a miniature that captures the essence of something bigger.
- Formal/written; common in essays and commentary.