| Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| alleviate | To make pain or suffering less severe. 減輕痛苦或苦楚。 |
The painkiller alleviated the pain. 止疼藥減緩了疼痛。 |
| diminish | To slowly decrease in number due to continuous use, or to decline in quality or value.
由於持續使用而數量緩慢減少，或品質或價值下降。 |
The supply of oil has diminished because of the war.
由於戰爭石油的供應減少了。 |
| reduce | To decrease something in number or size by deliberate action.
有意地使某物在數量或大小上減少。 |
Eric’s wife reduced Eric’s monthly allowance (from NT$1000 to NT$500).
Eric的老婆縮減Eric每個月的零用錢(從NT$1000到NT$500)。 |
| decrease | To lessen in quantity, strength, or power.
在數量、力量或功率上減少。 |
The population of birds decreased greatly last year.
去年人口數量急劇下降。 |
| decline | To fall in number, price, rate; to deteriorate or to refuse politely.
數目、價格、比率下降；衰退或婉言拒絕。 |
Last year, the crime rate in Chicago has sharply declined.
去年芝加哥的犯罪率明顯下降。 He declined our invitation to dinner. 他婉拒了我們請他吃飯的邀請。 |
這一組動詞都有減少、減輕的意思。
alleviate (v.) 在痛苦方面的減輕、緩和
The painkiller alleviated the pain.
止疼藥減緩了疼痛。
diminish (v.) 指因為不斷消耗，在數量方面緩慢減少，也指在素質或者價值的下降。
The supply of oil has diminished because of the war.
由於戰爭石油的供應減少了。
reduce (v.) 指人為地使某物在數量或重量方面的減少或降低。
Eric’s wife reduced Eric’s monthly allowance (from NT$1000 to NT$500).
Eric的老板縮減Eric每個月的零用錢(從NT$1000到NT$500).
decrease (v.) 指數量上的減少；力量或者強度的減弱。
The population of birds decreased greatly last year.
去年人口數量急劇下降。
decline (v.) 數目、價格、比率的下降；衰退，衰落。
(intransitive verb) Last year, the crime rate in Chicago has sharply declined.
去年芝加哥的犯罪率明顯下降。
(transitive verb)
謝絕，婉言推辭； He declined our invitation to dinner.
他婉拒了我們請他吃飯的邀請。