reduce
/rreh-DOO-seh/
reduces
The person reduces the size of the object by pushing it together.
reduce(verb)
reduces
?when talking about what someone else or an object is doing
,reduce!
?telling a friend to make something smaller or less
cut down
?referring to expenses or consumption
,lower
?referring to volume, speed, or intensity
📝 In Action
El ejercicio reduce el riesgo de enfermedades.
A2Exercise reduces the risk of diseases.
¡Reduce la velocidad, vas muy rápido!
A1Slow down, you're going too fast!
Esta máquina reduce el tamaño del papel.
A2This machine reduces the size of the paper.
💡 Grammar Points
A double-duty word
The word 'reduce' is used in two main ways: to state a fact about someone else (He reduces) or to give a direct command to a friend (Reduce!).
The 'J' in the past
Even though 'reduce' looks normal now, when you talk about the past, it gets a 'j' sound: 'Él redujo' (He reduced).
❌ Common Pitfalls
The 'I' form mismatch
Mistake: "yo reduzco (not yo reduzo)"
Correction: When saying 'I reduce', you need to add a 'z' before the 'c' to keep the sound right: say 'reduzco'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Giving Commands
Use 'reduce' when you want to tell a friend to lower the volume or slow down. It's short, punchy, and natural.
Cooking a sauce for a long time reduces it, making it thicker and more flavorful.
📝 In Action
La salsa se reduce a fuego lento.
B1The sauce reduces over low heat.
⭐ Usage Tips
In the Kitchen
When a recipe says 'reduce the liquid,' it's using the same logic as making something smaller—you're making the volume smaller to pack in more flavor!
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: reduce
Question 1 of 2
How would you tell a friend to 'Reduce the speed' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'reduce' a command or a statement?
It's both! Context is key. If you see it in a sentence like 'Él reduce...', it's a statement (He reduces). If someone shouts '¡Reduce!', it's a command (Reduce!).
Why does the past tense change so much?
Spanish verbs that end in '-ducir' have a special history. In the past, they always swap the 'c' for a 'j', so 'reduce' becomes 'redujo'.