“缩短”的英语是 shorten[suō duǎn]。这个单词的意思包括使距离、长度或时间变短，或者使篇幅减少。例如：

1. We need to shorten the article to fit it within the allotted space. [我们需要缩短文章以适应分配的空间。]

2. Smoking can shorten your life. [吸烟会缩短你的生命。]

3. The project's deadline has been shortened to accommodate the new requirements. [项目截止日期已缩短以适应新要求。]