reducir

Word: reducir

Meaning:
The verb reducir in Spanish means "to reduce," "to decrease," "to lower," or "to lessen." It is an action verb that refers to making something smaller in size, quantity, intensity, or degree.

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Explanation:

• Part of speech: Verb
• Conjugation: Regular verb ending in -ir (e.g., yo reduzco, tú reduces, él reduce)
• Origin: From Latin reducere, meaning "to bring back" or "to lead back."

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Usage and meanings:

1. To reduce or decrease something:
   Making something smaller, fewer, or less intense.
   Example:

   • "Quiero reducir mis gastos" — "I want to reduce my expenses."
   • "La empresa debe reducir la producción" — "The company must reduce production."

2. To bring down or bring back:
   From its Latin root, it can have a broader sense of bringing down or bringing back to a previous state.

   • "Reducir un problema a sus partes básicas" — "To reduce a problem to its basic parts" (simplify or distill).

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Synonyms:

• disminuir (to diminish)
• bajar (to lower, to decrease)
• mermar (to diminish, to reduce)
• aminorar (to reduce, to lessen)

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Antonyms:

• aumentar (to increase)
• incrementar (to increase)
• subir (to rise, to raise)
• crecer (to grow)

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In summary, reducir refers primarily to the action of making something smaller in some aspect, often quantity or size. It is a common verb used in various contexts such as economics, science, or daily life.