Keywords: jiangdi, 降低, how to say reduce in Chinese, lower in Chinese, decrease price in Chinese, reduce costs, lower standards, jiang di meaning, Chinese verb for lower, HSK 4 vocabulary
Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 降低 (jiàngdī), which means “to lower,” “reduce,” or “decrease.” This versatile HSK 4 word is crucial for discussing topics from business and economics (lowering prices, reducing costs) to daily life (lowering the temperature, reducing risk). This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and provides practical examples to help you master how to use `jiàngdī` correctly and avoid common mistakes.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): jiàng dī
Part of Speech: Verb
HSK Level: 4
Concise Definition: To cause something to become lower in level, degree, standard, or rate.
In a Nutshell: Think of `降低` as turning a dial down. It's the action of making something less. This can be a concrete action, like lowering the volume on a speaker, or an abstract one, like reducing the risk of a financial investment. It implies a scale (from high to low) and the movement towards the “low” end.
Character Breakdown
降 (jiàng): This character means “to descend,” “to fall,” or “to go down.” Picture a flag being lowered or a plane landing. It signifies downward movement.
低 (dī): This character simply means “low.” You can think of it as the opposite of “high,” referring to height, level, or quality.
Together, 降低 (jiàng dī) literally translates to “descend-low.” This combination creates a clear and direct verb that means to actively make something go down or become low.
Cultural Context and Significance
While `降低` doesn't carry the deep philosophical weight of a term like `关系 (guānxi)`, its frequent use is very telling about modern China's priorities. The term is ubiquitous in discussions about the economy, business, and personal development.
In a society focused on rapid economic growth and efficiency, the ability to `降低成本` (jiàngdī chéngběn - reduce costs) is a core principle of business strategy. You will hear and see this phrase constantly in news reports, company meetings, and financial analysis.
On a personal level, the concept of `降低要求` (jiàngdī yāoqiú - lowering one's standards or requirements) is a common topic of social discussion. This could relate to job hunting in a competitive market or finding a partner, reflecting the pragmatic adjustments people make to meet their goals.
Comparison to English: “Lower” or “reduce” are very close translations. However, `降低` is used as a standard verb across formal (economic reports) and informal (daily conversation) contexts, perhaps more broadly than the English “decrease.” The key is that `降低` always acts upon a level, rate, or standard, not a countable number.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Business and Economics: This is the most common context. It is used constantly to discuss prices, costs, risks, and interest rates.
e.g., `降低价格` (jiàngdī jiàgé) - to lower the price
e.g., `降低成本` (jiàngdī chéngběn) - to reduce costs
e.g., `降低风险` (jiàngdī fēngxiǎn) - to reduce risk
Daily Life: You'll use it for everyday adjustments.
e.g., `降低音量` (jiàngdī yīnliàng) - to lower the volume
e.g., `降低温度` (jiàngdī wēndù) - to lower the temperature
e.g., `降低速度` (jiàngdī sùdù) - to reduce speed
Abstract Concepts: It's also used for intangible things like standards, expectations, or difficulty.
e.g., `降低标准` (jiàngdī biāozhǔn) - to lower the standard
e.g., `降低难度` (jiàngdī nándù) - to reduce the difficulty
Formality and Connotation: `降低` is a neutral term. Its connotation depends entirely on what is being lowered. Lowering risk (`降低风险`) is positive, while lowering quality (`降低质量`) is negative. It is appropriate in both formal and informal speech.
English: Taking preventative measures is the key to lowering the accident rate.
Analysis: Here `降低` is used with a rate (`发生率` - occurrence rate), another perfect use case.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
The most common mistake for learners is confusing `降低 (jiàngdī)` with `减少 (jiǎnshǎo)`. They can both be translated as “reduce,” but they are not interchangeable.
`降低 (jiàngdī)`: Use for level, standard, degree, or rate. Think of a scale.
Why it's wrong: `员工数量` (number of employees) is a quantity, not a level. Using `降低` here sounds very unnatural. It's like saying “to lower the number of employees” in English, when “reduce the number” is much more common and correct.
`提高 (tígāo)` - To raise, heighten, or improve. The direct opposite of `降低`, used for levels and standards (e.g., `提高质量` - improve quality).
`增加 (zēngjiā)` - To increase in number or quantity. The direct opposite of `减少` (e.g., `增加员工` - increase employees).
Synonyms / Similar Concepts:
`下降 (xiàjiàng)` - To decline, fall, or drop. Often used for things that change on their own, like prices or temperatures on a chart. `降低` often implies an agent is actively causing the reduction.
`减少 (jiǎnshǎo)` - To reduce, decrease in number or quantity. The key counterpart to `降低`.
Commonly Paired Nouns:
`成本 (chéngběn)` - Cost; a key concept in business often paired with `降低`.
`价格 (jiàgé)` - Price; what businesses `降低` to attract customers.
`标准 (biāozhǔn)` - Standard; can be lowered (`降低`) or raised (`提高`).
`风险 (fēngxiǎn)` - Risk; something everyone wants to `降低`.
`血压 (xuèyā)` - Blood pressure; a health metric that is often lowered.