减
Character learning workspace

jiǎn · to decrease, to subtract, to diminish

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 3.0 · Level 4Frequency #3695
Watch · inspect · write

Learn every stroke in 减

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Step-by-step explorer

See how 减 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Character anatomy

Understand the reusable parts

The decomposition shows how the visual pieces fit together, not necessarily the character’s historical origin.

Writing notes

Shape and proportion

11Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Left-rightCharacter structure

Keep the left side compact and leave enough room for the right side.

冫Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 减 writing sheet

Get a ready-to-use A4 sheet immediately, or open the full builder to change its grid and guidance.

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Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 减

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

jiǎnWords pronounced jiǎn
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Example sentences

Notice where 减 sits in each complete thought.

Zhè zhǒng yào huì jiǎn qīng nǐ de téng tòng.这种药会减轻你的疼痛。

This medicine will decrease your pain.

Source: Tatoeba #8709410 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ zhège yuè yào jiǎn shǎo kāi zhī.我这个月要减少开支。

I have to reduce my expenses this month.

Source: Tatoeba #351246 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ bù chī wǎn fàn yīn wèi wǒ xiǎng jiǎn féi.我不吃晚饭因为我想减肥。

I don't eat supper because I want to lose some weight.

Source: Tatoeba #669046 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Fēng bào jǐ gè xiǎo shí méi yǒu jiǎn ruò le.风暴几个小时没有减弱了。

The storm has not weakened for several hours.

Source: Tatoeba #2080582 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Bā jiǎn qù sān jiù néng dé dào wǔ.八减去三就能得到五。

Subtract three from eight and you get five.

Source: Tatoeba #8727890 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā de tǐ zhòng jiǎn qīng le.她的体重减轻了。

She has lost weight.

Source: Tatoeba #346773 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 减 in context

  1. Say jiǎn, then recall the core meaning: to decrease, to subtract, to diminish.
  2. Write all 11 strokes while keeping the left-right balanced.
  3. Use it in 减轻 (jiǎn qīng), meaning “to lighten”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 减 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.