Inklingo

How to Say "reduction" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “reduction” is “reducción” — use this general term for any decrease in size, amount, or value, especially in formal or neutral contexts..

reducciónB1

Use this general term for any decrease in size, amount, or value, especially in formal or neutral contexts.

Learn more →
recorte🔊B1

Choose this word when referring to cuts in budgets, funding, staff, or resources, often implying a negative limitation.

Learn more →
disminuciónB1

This is a common, slightly more formal term for a decrease, frequently used in financial, economic, or technical reports.

Learn more →
rebaja🔊B1

Use this term specifically for a reduction in price (a sale) or a lessening of a penalty or intensity.

Learn more →
bajada🔊B1

This word is best for a literal drop or fall in something measurable, like temperature, prices, or a stock value.

Learn more →
ahorro🔊B1

Use this word when 'reduction' implies saving something by using less of it, like energy, water, or money.

Learn more →
English → Spanish

reducción

nounB1
Use this general term for any decrease in size, amount, or value, especially in formal or neutral contexts.

Examples

La tienda anunció una reducción de precios.

The store announced a price reduction.

recorte

/rreh-KOHR-teh//reˈkoɾte/

nounB1
Choose this word when referring to cuts in budgets, funding, staff, or resources, often implying a negative limitation.
A pair of silver scissors cutting through a stack of colorful coins.

Examples

El gobierno anunció un nuevo recorte en educación.

The government announced a new cut in education.

Debido a la crisis, hubo muchos recortes de personal.

Due to the crisis, there were many staff cuts.

Necesitamos hacer un recorte de gastos este mes.

We need to make a spending cut this month.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in '-e', this word is always masculine: 'el recorte' or 'los recortes'.

Plural for Big Impact

When talking about general economic crises, you'll usually hear it in the plural form: 'los recortes'.

Using the wrong word for 'cut'

Mistake: “Hice una recortación de gastos.”

Correction: Hice un recorte de gastos.

disminución

nounB1formal
This is a common, slightly more formal term for a decrease, frequently used in financial, economic, or technical reports.

Examples

Hay una disminución en el precio de la fruta.

There is a decrease in the price of fruit.

rebaja

/re-BA-ha//reˈβaxa/

nounB1
Use this term specifically for a reduction in price (a sale) or a lessening of a penalty or intensity.
A simple line graph showing a downward trend, represented by a colorful ball rolling down a gentle slope.

Examples

El abogado logró una rebaja de la condena para su cliente.

The lawyer achieved a reduction of the sentence for his client.

La rebaja de impuestos beneficiará a las pequeñas empresas.

The tax cut will benefit small businesses.

Se nota una rebaja en la calidad del servicio últimamente.

There is a noticeable drop in the quality of service lately.

Abstract Use

Unlike the shopping meaning, when talking about taxes or sentences, 'rebaja' is often followed by the word 'de' to explain what is being reduced.

Confusion with 'Bajar'

Mistake: “Hubo una baja de impuestos.”

Correction: Hubo una rebaja de impuestos.

bajada

/ba-HA-dah//baˈxaða/

nounB1
This word is best for a literal drop or fall in something measurable, like temperature, prices, or a stock value.
A bright red ball rolling down a gentle grassy slope.

Examples

Se espera una bajada de las temperaturas para este fin de semana.

A drop in temperatures is expected for this weekend.

La tienda anunció una gran bajada de precios.

The store announced a big price reduction.

Hubo una bajada en el número de turistas este año.

There was a fall in the number of tourists this year.

Abstract Decreases

Spanish uses 'bajada' for almost any numerical or abstract decrease, just like 'drop' or 'fall' in English.

Plural vs Singular

You can use 'bajada' in singular for a general trend, or 'bajadas' in plural for multiple specific instances of dropping.

Avoid 'caída' for small changes

Mistake: “Hubo una caída de un uno por ciento.”

Correction: Hubo una bajada de un uno por ciento.

ahorro

/ah-OH-rroh//aˈo.ro/

nounB1
Use this word when 'reduction' implies saving something by using less of it, like energy, water, or money.
A hand turning off a light switch on a colorful wall.

Examples

El ahorro de energía es muy importante para el planeta.

Energy conservation is very important for the planet.

Instalar este programa supuso un gran ahorro de tiempo.

Installing this program resulted in a great saving of time.

Buscamos el ahorro de costes en la oficina.

We are looking for cost reduction in the office.

Ahorro as an Action

In this context, the word describes the 'act' or 'result' of being efficient. It works just like the English word 'saving' in 'time-saving'.

Using the wrong verb

Mistake: “Saying 'hacer un ahorro de tiempo'.”

Correction: While understandable, it is more natural to say 'ahorrar tiempo' (verb) or 'supone un ahorro de tiempo' (it represents a saving of time).

reducción

nounB2culinary
In cooking, this specific term refers to a sauce made by simmering and reducing liquids to concentrate flavor.

Examples

Voy a preparar una reducción de vino tinto para el filete.

I'm going to prepare a red wine reduction for the steak.

General Decrease vs. Specific Cuts

Learners often confuse 'reducción' (general decrease) with 'recorte' (specific cuts to resources). Remember that 'recorte' implies a deliberate trimming or limitation, like budget cuts, while 'reducción' is a broader term for any lessening.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.