decrease

Compared meaning: to make something smaller or less (verb).

比较义项：使变小、减少（动词）。

• decrease 本词

  A general, neutral verb for a measurable amount, number or rate becoming smaller; typical with costs, prices, sales or statistics; often used intransitively.

  中性、通用的动词，指可测量的数量、数字或比率变小；常与费用、价格、销量等统计性事物搭配；常用作不及物动词。

  Sales at the store usually decrease during the winter months.

  这家店的销量通常在冬季有所减少。

• lessen

  Focuses on reducing the degree, intensity or severity of something, especially something negative like pain, stress or risk, rather than a countable amount; slightly more formal.

  侧重减轻某事物的程度、强度或严重性，尤其是疼痛、压力、风险等负面事物，而不是可数的数量；语气略正式。

  Regular exercise can lessen the risk of heart disease.

  经常锻炼可以降低患心脏病的风险。

Decrease and lessen both mean to make something smaller, but they differ. Decrease is a neutral, general word for a measurable amount, like cost, price, or number. Lessen focuses on reducing the degree or intensity of something negative, like pain, stress, or risk.

这两个词都能表示“减少”，但 decrease 是中性、通用的说法，多用于费用、数量、价格等可测量的事物；lessen 更强调减轻程度或强度，常搭配疼痛、压力、风险等负面、抽象的事物，语气也略偏正式。

Compared meaning: a smaller amount than before (noun).

比较义项：数量或程度上的减少（名词）。

• decrease 本词

  Neutral, general word for an amount becoming smaller; can describe a natural or unplanned decline, not just a deliberate action; used widely for statistics, rates, and measurements.

  语气中性、较通用，指数量变小；既可以是自然发生的下降，也不一定是人为刻意造成的；常用于统计数据、比率和测量方面的表达。

  There has been a steady decrease in the number of smokers over the past decade.

  过去十年间，吸烟者的数量一直在稳步减少。

• reduction

  Often implies a deliberate action taken by someone to make something smaller or less; common in formal, commercial, or official contexts like price, tax, or staff reduction.

  常暗示某人为使某物变小或变少而采取的有意行动；常见于正式、商业或官方语境，例如降价、减税或裁员。

  The store announced a big reduction in prices this weekend.

  这家商店宣布本周末大幅降价。

Decrease and reduction both mean a smaller amount, but they differ. Decrease is neutral and general, and can describe a natural or unplanned drop. Reduction implies someone deliberately took action to make something smaller, common in formal or business contexts like price or tax reduction.

这两个词都表示“减少”，语气相近，容易混淆，但 decrease 更中性、更通用，既可指自然发生的下降，也不一定出于人为行动；reduction 更强调某人有意采取行动使某物变小或变少，常见于正式或商业语境，如降价、减税、裁员。