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减轻 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
减轻jiǎnqīngto lightenHSK 4, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #5940, Medium
减轻jiǎnqīngto easeHSK 4, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #5940, Medium
减轻jiǎnqīngto alleviateHSK 4, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #5940, Medium
jiǎnqīng(jian3qing1)jian qing T3
  1. 1to lighten
  2. 2to ease
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March 24, 2026

减轻(減輕)jiǎnqīng(jian3qing1)

减轻 (jiǎnqīng) means to lighten or alleviate something, often referring to reducing burdens, pain, or intensity. It is commonly used in contexts such as relieving stress, easing pain, or lightening a load. The term conveys a sense of making something less severe or more manageable.

Strokes20Frequency#5940DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of reducing burdens is significant, often reflected in traditional practices such as tai chi and meditation, aimed at alleviating stress and promoting well-being. The importance placed on community and support systems also emphasizes the need to lighten each other's burdens.

Memory Tip

The character 减 (jiǎn) looks like a downward arrow, indicating reduction, while 轻 (qīng) suggests lightness, like a feather. Imagine a heavy backpack (减) being lifted off your shoulders, making you feel light (轻) and free.

Meanings of 减轻

jiǎnqīng(jian3qing1)
1to lighten
2to ease
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About 减轻

减轻Simplified
減輕Traditional
20Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

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Podcast: 减轻

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AI Study Notes for 减轻

Quick Contrast

减轻 (jiǎnqīng) vs 缓解 (huǎnjiě): use 减轻 when focusing on reducing the intensity or burden, while 缓解 emphasizes alleviating or easing a situation without necessarily implying a reduction in severity.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when saying 减轻; both characters have different tones that can change the meaning. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, such as medical discussions or everyday conversations about stress relief. Common collocations include 减轻痛苦 (alleviate suffering) and 减轻压力 (reduce stress).

HSK Study Tips

As a word that may not appear until later levels, learners should focus on understanding its components and usage in context. It connects to other words related to reduction, such as 减少 (jiǎnshǎo, to reduce) and 轻松 (qīngsōng, relaxed).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 减轻 with 变轻 (biànqīng), which means 'to become light.' For example, saying '我变轻我的压力' is incorrect; the correct phrase is '我想减轻我的压力.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 减轻

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Component Characters

减jiǎnto lower
HSK 411 strokes冫
View full entry
轻qīnglight
HSK 49 strokes车
View full entry

How to say to lighten in Chinese

“to lighten” in Chinese is减轻jiǎnqīng

减轻 (jiǎnqīng) means to lighten or alleviate something, often referring to reducing burdens, pain, or intensity. It is commonly used in contexts such as relieving stress, easing pain, or lightening a load. The term conveys a sense of making something less severe or more manageable.

When to use 减轻

Be cautious with the tone when saying 减轻; both characters have different tones that can change the meaning. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts, such as medical discussions or everyday conversations about stress relief. Common collocations include 减轻痛苦 (alleviate suffering) and 减轻压力 (reduce stress).

减轻 or something close to it

减轻 (jiǎnqīng) vs 缓解 (huǎnjiě): use 减轻 when focusing on reducing the intensity or burden, while 缓解 emphasizes alleviating or easing a situation without necessarily implying a reduction in severity.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 减轻 with 变轻 (biànqīng), which means 'to become light.' For example, saying '我变轻我的压力' is incorrect; the correct phrase is '我想减轻我的压力.'

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轻

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Frequently Asked Questions about 减轻

You can say, '我想减轻我的压力' (Wǒ xiǎng jiǎnqīng wǒ de yālì), meaning 'I want to alleviate my stress.'

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