reducir
/reduˈθiɾ/
To reduce in Spanish is reducir. Wiktionary also lists mermar and rebajar.
Meaning: to bring down the size, quantity, quality, value or intensity of something (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| reducir | /reduˈθiɾ/ /reduˈsiɾ/ |
| mermar | /meɾˈmaɾ/ |
| rebajar | /rebaˈxaɾ/ |
The verb is used to describe bringing down the size, quantity, quality, value or intensity of something.
Which one should you use?
While reducir is a general term for reducing something, mermar is used specifically when something is gradually diminishing or wasting away, often referring to resources or strength. Rebajar is often used specifically when talking about lowering prices or reducing the intensity of a certain quality or temperature.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form of reducir is reducción. In the preterite tense, the first-person singular form is reduje (I reduced).
How do you pronounce it?
/reduˈθiɾ/
Did you know?
- The word mermar has a mysterious history. It likely entered Spanish through medieval merchant contacts via the Occitan language, rather than being inherited directly from Latin like many other common verbs.
- The verb rebajar is often the go-to word for shopping. If you see a sale in a Spanish-speaking store, you are looking for 'rebajas'.
- The verb reducir can be used for abstract concepts like complexity, but it can also be used physically, such as when a chef 'reduces' a sauce to make it thicker.
Examples in context
- Él pudo reducir los impuestos.He was able to reduce taxes.This sentence shows how to use reducir regarding taxes.Tatoeba #1387908 by marcelostockle, translation #803037 by Source_VOA
- Tenemos que reducir nuestros gastos.We have to reduce our expenses.This sentence shows how to use reducir regarding expenses.Tatoeba #5169188 by Silvestre, translation #5169432 by tabular
- Debemos tratar de reducir su complejidad.We have to try to reduce its complexity.This sentence shows how to use reducir regarding complexity.Tatoeba #1148205 by marcelostockle, translation #1148209 by marcelostockle
- El gobierno busca reducir la pobreza en el país.The government seeks to reduce poverty in the country.
- La empresa logró reducir los costos de producción.The company managed to reduce production costs.
- El medicamento ayuda a disminuir el dolor.The medication helps reduce pain.
- Es importante disminuir el consumo de energía para proteger el medio ambiente.It's important to reduce energy consumption to protect the environment.
- Decidieron rebajar los precios de los productos para atraer más clientes.They decided to reduce the prices of the products to attract more customers.
- La empresa logró rebajar el número de accidentes laborales.The company managed to reduce the number of workplace accidents.
- Deberías bajar la temperatura del horno.You should reduce the oven temperature.
- Es hora de bajar la velocidad del coche.It's time to reduce the speed of the car.
- Es necesario achicar los gastos para ahorrar dinero.It's necessary to reduce expenses to save money.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are discussing their monthly budget at home.
- JavierMaría, necesitamos reducir los gastos de la casa.María, we need to reduce the household expenses.
- MaríaTienes razón, Javier, el presupuesto es muy alto.You are right, Javier, the budget is very high.
- Javier¿Cómo podemos reducir la cuenta de la luz?How can we reduce the electricity bill?
- MaríaPodemos apagar las luces cuando no las usemos.We can turn off the lights when we are not using them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “reduce” translations and entries reducir, mermar, rebajar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mermar, rebajar, reducir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
