soek3 gaam2削減削减
Jyutpingsoek3 gaam2
Yaleseuk gáam
Definition
To cut down, reduce, whittle down, or curtail an amount or quantity.
neutralworkmoney
How it's used
Focuses primarily on the reduction of abstract quantities like budgets, personnel, or expenses rather than physical objects. It carries a formal tone often found in news reports or corporate settings, making it sound slightly out of place in casual, intimate conversation. When used in daily life, it usually refers to financial matters or workload.
Examples
The company decided to cut staff, and everyone is very worried.
Can you cut down on some expenses?
Related words
Common phrases
to slash or cut significantly
to cut expenses
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 減少, which is a much more versatile and neutral word for any kind of decrease. Using 削減 for simple things like lowering the volume or reducing the amount of sugar in a drink sounds overly bureaucratic and unnatural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
