减 (jiǎn) — to reduce, to decrease, to subtract
Definition
减 (jiǎn) is the basic verb 'to reduce, subtract' — used for numbers, amounts, or anything countable. 比 降低 more general and everyday; 比 减少 shorter and more common in math.
verb
to reduceto decreaseto subtract
Examples
- 减。Shí jiǎn wǔ děng yú wǔ.Ten minus five equals five.
- 减。Zhè ge yuè wǒ de gōng zī bèi jiǎn le liǎng cì.My salary was reduced twice this month.
- 减。Nǐ zuì hǎo jiǎn yí xià yán de liáng.You'd better reduce the amount of salt.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 減; 减 is its simplified writing.
The traditional form 減 has 氵, water, and 咸, a seal: sealing off a stream of water lessens its flow. The simplified 减 is a later abbreviation.
Browse more HSK 4 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.