reducir
“reducir” means “reduce” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
reduce, lower
Also: cut down, lessen
📝 In Action
Tenemos que reducir los gastos del viaje.
B1We have to reduce the trip expenses.
Si reduces la velocidad, llegaremos tarde.
A2If you reduce the speed, we will arrive late.
El doctor me aconsejó reducir el consumo de sal.
B2The doctor advised me to cut down on salt consumption.
summarize, boil down
Also: simplify
📝 In Action
Es difícil reducir la teoría a una sola frase.
B2It is difficult to summarize the theory into a single sentence.
El periodista redujo el informe de 50 páginas a un párrafo.
C1The journalist boiled down the 50-page report to one paragraph.
be limited to, amount to
Also: be confined to
📝 In Action
El problema se reduce a una falta de comunicación.
C1The problem boils down to a lack of communication.
Sus tareas diarias se reducen a contestar correos.
B2His daily tasks are limited to answering emails.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "reducir" in Spanish:
amount to→boil down→cut down→lessen→lower→reduce→simplify→summarize→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: reducir
Question 1 of 2
Which form of 'reducir' is used in the simple past tense (preterite) for 'I reduced'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word *reducere*, meaning 'to lead back' or 'to bring back'. Over time, its meaning shifted from 'leading back' to 'bringing something down' or 'making something smaller.'
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (c. 13th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'reducir' different from 'disminuir'?
'Reducir' often implies an intentional action to make something smaller (like reducing prices or waste). 'Disminuir' is broader and can describe a natural decline in something (like the light diminishing or a natural decrease in population).
Why is the first person singular 'yo' so strange ('reduzco')?
This is a feature of all verbs ending in -ducir (like 'conducir' or 'traducir'). The 'c' changes to 'zc' before the 'o' to maintain a specific sound pattern that Spanish prefers in that position.