Japanese Conversation · Level 85
60 words
Japanese word
減少
Pronunciation
Romajigenshō
Meaning
- noundecline
Example
最近、この町では人口が減少しています。sai kin ko no machi de wa jin kō ga gen shō shi te i ma su
Recently, the population in this town has been declining.
More examples
節電によって電気の使用量が減少しました。setsu den ni yo tte den ki no shi yō ryō ga gen shō shi ma shi ta
Energy conservation caused electricity use to decrease.
Core concept
Expresses the process or state in which an amount, number, or level becomes smaller.
Common phrases
人口の減少jin kō no gen shō
decline in population
利益の減少ri eki no gen shō
decline in profits
大幅な減少ō haba na gen shō
significant decline
Similar words
低下teika: A decrease in a level, quality, ability, or function.
削減sakugen: A deliberate reduction in an amount, cost, or resource.
縮小shukushō: A reduction in size, scale, scope, or range.
減退gentai: A gradual loss of strength, energy, appetite, or interest.
Definition in Japanese
人口や量などが以前より少なくなること。jin kō ya ryō na do ga i zen yo ri suku na ku na ru ko to
Word origin
減少 (genshō) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 減 (gen, "decrease") and 少 (shō, "few"), so its meaning centers on becoming fewer or smaller.
Usage tips
- In everyday English, decrease is often chosen for simple changes in numbers, while decline can suggest a longer or more noticeable downward trend.