Meanings of 減
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About 減
Podcast: 減
Podcast: 減
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AI Study Notes for 減
减 (jiǎn) vs 降 (jiàng) — use 减 for subtraction or reduction in quantity, while 降 emphasizes a drop or decline, often in temperature or altitude.
Learners often confuse 減 with 增 (zēng), which means 'to increase.' Remember that 減 is used in both formal and informal contexts, typically with the verb structure '減少' (jiǎn shǎo, to decrease) or '減去' (jiǎn qù, to subtract from).
While 減 is not explicitly included in HSK levels, it relates to basic mathematical vocabulary essential for HSK 1 and 2. Students should practice using 減 in context with numbers and other verbs to solidify their understanding.
Learners often mistakenly use 減 with adjectives instead of nouns. For example, saying '減快' (jiǎn kuài) instead of '減慢' (jiǎn màn, to slow down) is incorrect. Always pair 減 with quantifiable nouns.
Pronunciation of 減
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Etymology of 減
Phonosemantic compound. 冫 represents the meaning and 咸 represents the sound. Simplified form of 減.
water
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 減
Phonosemantic compound. 冫 represents the meaning and 咸 represents the sound. Simplified form of 減.
- 1The meaning half氵 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half咸 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaywater
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 減? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 減
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How to say to decrease, to subtract, to diminish in Chinese
“to decrease, to subtract, to diminish” in Chinese is減
The character 減 (jiǎn) means 'to decrease' or 'to subtract.' It is commonly used in mathematical contexts, as well as in everyday situations where something is reduced in quantity or degree, such as weight loss or price reductions.
When to use 減
Learners often confuse 減 with 增 (zēng), which means 'to increase.' Remember that 減 is used in both formal and informal contexts, typically with the verb structure '減少' (jiǎn shǎo, to decrease) or '減去' (jiǎn qù, to subtract from).
減 or something close to it
减 (jiǎn) vs 降 (jiàng) — use 减 for subtraction or reduction in quantity, while 降 emphasizes a drop or decline, often in temperature or altitude.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 減 with adjectives instead of nouns. For example, saying '減快' (jiǎn kuài) instead of '減慢' (jiǎn màn, to slow down) is incorrect. Always pair 減 with quantifiable nouns.
Write 減
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Practice writing 減 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 減
減 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Complete the Sentence
需要投资来____轻积压的维修工作.
Investment is needed to reduce the backlog of repairs.
Example Sentences for 減 (2)
Word Family of 減
Compound Meaning
What does 减少 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 減
You can say '我想減少我的開支' (Wǒ xiǎng jiǎn shǎo wǒ de kāi zhī), which means 'I want to reduce my expenses.'
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