減: the kanji for decrease
減 is a JLPT N2 kanji that means decrease. Below are its readings, 6 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
減 is written in 12 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
減 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 6 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ゲン (gen)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 減少げんしょう · genshō | decrease |
| 削減さくげん · sakugen | reduction; cut |
| 増減ぞうげん · zōgen | increase and decrease |
| 半減はんげん · hangen | reduction by half |
へる (heru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 減るへる · heru | to decrease |
へらす (herasu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 減らすへらす · herasu | to reduce |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- この村の人口は年々減少している。Kono mura no jinkō wa nennen genshō shite iru.This village's population is decreasing year by year.
- 会社は経費の削減を進めている。Kaisha wa keihi no sakugen o susumete iru.The company is cutting costs.
- 運動して体重を減らしたい。Undō shite taijū o herashitai.I want to lose weight by exercising.
- お客さんが減って店が静かになった。Okyakusan ga hette mise ga shizuka ni natta.The number of customers went down, and the shop became quiet.
- セール期間は値段が半減する。Sēru kikan wa nedan ga hangen suru.Prices are cut in half during the sale.
Questions about 減
How many strokes does 減 have?
減 is written in 12 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 減?
The on readings are gen (ゲン). The kun readings are heru (へる), herasu (へらす).
What JLPT level is 減?
N2. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N2 is designed to match the former Level 2.
More JLPT N2 kanji
Numbers, time and quantity
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 減
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.