减少 (jiǎnshǎo) — to reduce / to decrease
HSK 3 | verb | to make something smaller in amount or number
减少 (jiǎnshǎo)
To cause something to become smaller in number, amount, or degree; or for something to become less on its own.
Meanings
- [verb] To reduce, to decrease, to lessen (transitive).
- [verb] To decline, to drop, to diminish (intransitive).
Example Sentences
我们要减少浪费，保护环境。 Wǒmen yào jiǎnshǎo làngfèi, bǎohù huánjìng. We should reduce waste and protect the environment.
今年公司的成本减少了很多。 Jīnnián gōngsī de chéngběn jiǎnshǎo le hěn duō. This year the company's costs have decreased a lot.
他每天减少糖的摄入量。 Tā měitiān jiǎnshǎo táng de shèrù liàng. He reduces his daily sugar intake every day.
空气污染的减少需要大家共同努力。 Kōngqì wūrǎn de jiǎnshǎo xūyào dàjiā gòngtóng nǔlì. Reducing air pollution requires everyone to work together.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 减少浪费 | reduce waste |
| 减少污染 | reduce pollution |
| 大幅减少 | drastically reduce |
| 逐渐减少 | gradually decrease |
| 减少数量 | reduce quantity |
Memory Hook
减 means "to subtract/reduce" and 少 means "few/less" — subtracting until there is less and less.