減 / 减
jiǎn
The English verb 'subtract' can be translated into Chinese as 減 / 减 (jiǎn). If unsure, use 減 / 减. Wiktionary also lists 減去 / 减去 (jiǎnqù) and 扣除 (kòuchú).
Meaning: to remove or reduce (verb)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 減 / 减 | jiǎn |
| 減去 / 减去 | jiǎnqù |
| 扣除 | kòuchú |
The verb 減 / 减 is used to mean 'to deduct' or 'to reduce'.
What does it mean word for word?
The form 減去 / 减去 is a combination of 減, which means to reduce or decrease and 去, which means to remove or go away. Literally, it means 'to reduce and remove'.
Which one should you use?
While 減 means 'to reduce' or 'to decrease', 減去 / 减去 is the specific mathematical term used for the operation of subtracting a number. Instead of using 減去 / 减去, you should use 扣除 when referring to deducting specific amounts such as taxes, fees or points from a total.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is jiǎn.
Did you know?
- The character 減 originally depicted the action of sealing off a stream of water to make its flow decrease. This is represented by the water radical 氵 on the left side of the character.
- The character 扣 in 扣除 (to deduct) also carries the meaning of 'to fasten' or 'to hook', much like a button or a buckle.
Examples in context
- 请把七减去三。Please subtract three from seven.
- 减法是数学的一个基本概念。Subtraction is a fundamental concept in mathematics.
- 工资中扣除税款。Subtracting tax from the salary.
- 减去三个，还有多少？Subtract three, what's left?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “subtract” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 減, CC BY-SA 4.0.
