減らす
herasuTo make something smaller in quantity, amount, or degree; to reduce.
支出を減らす必要があります。
We need to reduce our expenses.
ストレスを減らすために、瞑想を始めました。
I started meditating to reduce stress.
Commonly used in everyday contexts to describe reducing something tangible or abstract.
To cut down or minimize something, often in a deliberate or strategic way.
人員を減らす計画が進められています。
Plans to reduce staff are being advanced.
ゴミを減らすために、リサイクルを推進しています。
We are promoting recycling to reduce waste.
Often used in business or environmental contexts.
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Causative Form
'減らす' is the causative form of '減る' (to decrease), meaning to cause something to decrease.
⚡Gold Rule
Common Usage
Use '減らす' when you want to express the action of reducing something, whether it's physical or abstract.
📖Word Origin
Derived from the verb '減る' (heru, to decrease) with the causative suffix '-sasu', meaning to cause something to decrease.
📝Usage Notes
Often used with objects that can be quantified or measured, such as time, cost, or quantity. Can be used both literally and figuratively.