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How to Say "cut down" in Spanish

English → Spanish

reducir

reh-doo-SEER/reðuˈθiɾ/

verbB1
Use this verb when you want to decrease or lessen something, often referring to consumption, expenses, or quantities.
A large red sphere is actively being compressed by two simple, stylized hands, resulting in a significantly smaller red sphere.

Examples

Tenemos que reducir los gastos del viaje.

We have to reduce the trip expenses.

Si reduces la velocidad, llegaremos tarde.

If you reduce the speed, we will arrive late.

El doctor me aconsejó reducir el consumo de sal.

The doctor advised me to cut down on salt consumption.

The 'Z-C' Change

In the 'yo' form of the present tense, 'reducir' changes the 'c' to 'z' before the 'o': 'reduzco'. This helps the sound stay consistent.

The 'J' Past Tense

In the simple past (preterite), 'reducir' uses a 'j' sound, like 'reduje' (I reduced). This is shared by many verbs ending in -ducir.

Forgetting the 'Z' in Present Tense

Mistake: “Yo reduco los impuestos.”

Correction: Yo reduzco los impuestos. (Remember the 'z' in the first person singular and all of the special wish/command forms.)

reduce

/rreh-DOO-seh//reˈðuse/

verbA2
Use this verb when talking about a general decrease in risk, size, or intensity, or when a noun form is 'reduction'.
A person pushing two ends of a large accordion together to make it smaller.

Examples

El ejercicio reduce el riesgo de enfermedades.

Exercise reduces the risk of diseases.

¡Reduce la velocidad, vas muy rápido!

Slow down, you're going too fast!

Esta máquina reduce el tamaño del papel.

This machine reduces the size of the paper.

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).

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'.

Choosing Between 'Reducir' and 'Reduce'

Learners often confuse 'reducir' and 'reduce'. While 'reducir' is the standard infinitive for decreasing consumption or expenses, 'reduce' is typically used in a more general sense of lessening something, or as a noun form. Always consider if you are talking about specific cuts to spending or a general lessening.

Related Translations

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