“消减”常见的英文表达有 reduce、cut down 或 decrease,具体使用哪个词取决于语境:
reduce:最为通用,强调在数量、程度、规模等方面使变小、变少。例如:
We need to reduce our expenses.(我们需要消减开支。)
The government plans to reduce pollution.(政府计划消减污染。)
cut down:侧重于“削减、减少(数量、规模等)”,常带有主动采取措施以降低的含义,常与 on 搭配使用。例如:
We should cut down on the use of plastic bags.(我们应该消减塑料袋的使用。)
They decided to cut down production costs.(他们决定消减生产成本。)
decrease:与 reduce 意思相近,更强调数量、程度、强度等方面的逐渐降低,在正式语境中较为常用。例如:
The population of this city has decreased in recent years.(近年来这个城市的人口消减了。)
We need to find ways to decrease the noise level.(我们需要找到办法消减噪音水平。)