Meaning and Usage
The verb 減らす (へらす) means "to reduce" or "to decrease" something. It is a transitive verb, so it always takes a direct object — something that is being reduced.
Common Contexts
You will often hear 減らす in contexts related to reducing quantities, costs, or negative factors like waste or risk. For example, reducing food intake, expenses, or environmental impact.
Collocations and Patterns
- 減らす + 量 (りょう): to reduce the amount (e.g., 食事の量を減らす)
- 減らす + コスト/費用 (ひよう): to reduce costs or expenses
- 減らす + リスク: to reduce risk
Register and Politeness
減らす is a neutral verb used in both casual and formal contexts. When speaking politely, use the ます-form 減らします.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 減らす (to reduce something) with 減る (へる), which is intransitive and means "to decrease" by itself. Remember 減らす requires a direct object, while 減る does not.
Summary
Use 減らす when you want to actively decrease or cut down something. It is a very practical verb for everyday conversation about managing quantities, costs, or other measurable things.