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A1 noun #3,157 よく出る 10分で読める

軽減

keigen 上位3,157

練習する例文メモとヒント軽減 30秒で

解説軽減 in your Level:

At the A1 level, think of 軽減 (keigen) as a fancy way to say 'make something bad smaller.' Even though it's a bit of a hard word, you can understand it by looking at the first part: 軽 (karui), which means 'light' (not heavy). If you have a heavy bag and someone helps you, your 'burden' becomes 'light.' That is the feeling of 軽減. In simple sentences, we use it for things like 'less pain' or 'less work.' For example, if you take medicine and your headache gets better, we say the pain was '軽減ed.' If you are a student and your teacher gives you less homework because you are tired, your 'burden' is '軽減ed.' Remember: 軽減 = Bad things getting smaller/lighter. It's a 'relief' word. You will see it most often in supermarkets on price tags for food. In Japan, food has a special 'low tax' called 'Keigen Zeiritsu.' Even as a beginner, knowing this word helps you understand why some things are cheaper than others at the register. It's like a 'discount' on the trouble or cost you have to face.

At the A2 level, you can start using 軽減 (keigen) as a 'suru-verb' (軽減する). This word is very useful when you want to talk about improving a situation. While 'herasu' (to decrease) is a common word you already know, 軽減 is better when you are talking about something that is a 'problem' or a 'burden.' For example, if you are talking about a new app that makes your work easier, you can say 'This app reduces (軽減する) my work.' It sounds more professional than just saying 'reduces time.' You should also learn the phrase 負担を軽減する (futan o keigen suru), which means 'to reduce the burden.' This is a very common expression in Japanese society. You might hear it at a part-time job or at a clinic. Another common use is for physical symptoms. If you have a cold and drink tea, and your throat feels better, you can say the tea '軽減-ed' the pain. At this level, try to replace 'herasu' with '軽減する' when the thing you are decreasing is a negative thing like stress, pain, or a difficult task. It will make your Japanese sound more mature and clear.

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At the B1 level, 軽減 (keigen) becomes an essential part of your vocabulary for discussing social issues and health. You should be able to distinguish it from similar words like 'sakugen' (削減 - reduction/cutting). While 'sakugen' is often used for cutting budgets or numbers, 軽減 is used for alleviating a 'load.' For example, in environmental discussions, you will hear 環境負荷の軽減 (kankyou fuka no keigen), meaning 'reducing the environmental load.' This is a key phrase in news reports about climate change. You should also be comfortable with the passive form 軽減される (keigen sareru). For instance, 'By using this new technology, the risk is reduced (軽減される).' This is a very common structure in technical manuals and business reports. At this level, you should also recognize the word in the context of the 軽減税率 (keigen zeiritsu) system in Japan. Understanding that this refers to the 'reduced tax rate' for daily necessities will help you navigate daily life and news. Practice using 軽減 in sentences where you describe a solution to a problem, focusing on the relief it provides.

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At the B2 level, you should master the nuance of 軽減 (keigen) in formal and professional contexts. It is frequently used in business strategy, medical documentation, and legal discussions. For example, a company might implement a 'risk mitigation strategy,' which in Japanese is often expressed as リスク軽減策 (risuku keigen-saku). Notice how 軽減 combines with other words to form compound nouns. You should also understand its use in psychological contexts, such as 不安の軽減 (fuan no keigen)—the alleviation of anxiety. At this level, you should be able to explain the difference between 軽減 and 緩和 (kanwa). While both can mean 'easing,' 緩和 is more about loosening restrictions or easing tension (like traffic or international relations), whereas 軽減 is strictly about making a burden or symptom less severe. In writing, use 軽減 to show a sophisticated understanding of 'improvement through reduction.' For example, 'The introduction of telecommuting has significantly reduced (軽減した) the physical and mental burden of commuting on employees.' This level of expression is expected in business emails and academic essays.

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At the C1 level, your use of 軽減 (keigen) should reflect a deep understanding of its role in formal discourse and policy-making. You will encounter this word in high-level academic papers, legislative texts, and corporate governance reports. It is often used to describe the 'mitigation' of systemic issues. For example, 経済的格差による負担の軽減 (keizaiteki kakusa ni yoru futan no keigen) refers to the alleviation of burdens caused by economic inequality. You should be able to use the word in complex sentence structures, such as 'The government's multifaceted approach aims not only to stimulate the economy but also to provide substantial keigen of the fiscal pressure on small businesses.' Furthermore, you should understand the legal nuances, such as 責任の軽減 (sekinin no keigen), which refers to the mitigation of responsibility or liability. At this level, you should also be aware of the stylistic choice between 軽減 and its synonyms to create a specific tone. Using 軽減 suggests a methodical, targeted, and benevolent reduction of a negative factor. It is a word that implies both a problem-solving mindset and a sense of care for the affected party.

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At the C2 level, 軽減 (keigen) is a tool for precision in highly specialized fields. In a medical context, you might discuss the 症状の寛解と軽減 (shoujou no kankai to keigen)—the remission and alleviation of symptoms—with a focus on clinical outcomes. In financial sectors, you might analyze the 負債軽減措置 (fusai keigen sochi)—debt relief measures—and their long-term impact on market stability. A C2 learner understands that 軽減 is not just about making something smaller; it is about the strategic management of negative variables to achieve an optimal state. You should be able to use it in philosophical or abstract discussions as well, such as the 'alleviation of existential dread' or the 'mitigation of cognitive dissonance.' The word's kanji roots—lightening and decreasing—allow for poetic yet formal usage in literature and high-level journalism. Your mastery should extend to its collocations in various domains: from souon keigen (noise reduction) in engineering to zei-keigen (tax mitigation) in accounting. At this level, 軽減 is used with such natural precision that it perfectly captures the intent to refine a system by removing its most burdensome elements.

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練習する例文メモとヒント

軽減 30秒で

軽減 (keigen) means 'alleviation' or 'mitigation' of negative things like pain, tax, or workload.
It is a formal word often used in news, medicine, and business to describe making a burden lighter.
Commonly used as a suru-verb: 軽減する (to alleviate/reduce).
It is distinct from 削減 (cutting resources) and 減少 (neutral decrease).

The Japanese word 軽減 (けいげん - keigen) is a formal and highly versatile noun that functions as a 'suru-verb.' At its core, it describes the process of making something that is inherently negative—such as a burden, a cost, a symptom, or a risk—less heavy, less severe, or more manageable. To understand this word deeply, one must look at its constituent kanji: 軽 (karui), meaning 'light' or 'unimportant,' and 減 (heru/gen), meaning 'decrease' or 'reduce.' Together, they literally translate to 'lightening and decreasing.'

Core Nuance: Unlike simple reduction (減少 - genshou), 軽減 implies a sense of relief or the alleviation of a pressure that was previously weighing someone down. It is almost exclusively used for things people want less of.

In everyday Japanese life, you will encounter this word in three primary spheres. First is the economic sphere. When Japan raised its consumption tax from 8% to 10%, it introduced the 軽減税率 (keigen zeiritsu) or 'reduced tax rate' for essential items like food and newspapers. This was intended to 'lighten the load' on lower-income households. Second is the medical sphere. Doctors use 軽減 to talk about 'alleviating symptoms' (症状の軽減) or 'reducing pain' (痛みの軽減). If a medicine works, the patient feels the 'lightening' of their physical suffering. Third is the operational sphere. In a corporate setting, companies strive for 負担の軽減 (futan no keigen), which means reducing the workload or mental stress placed on employees through automation or better management.

新しいシステムのおかげで、事務作業の負担が大幅に軽減されました。
(Thanks to the new system, the burden of clerical work was greatly reduced.)

It is important to note that 軽減 is not used for physical weight in the context of dieting. You wouldn't use it to say you lost 5 kilograms. Instead, you would use it for the impact of that weight on your knees. It is an abstract lightening. It is also used in environmental contexts, such as 環境負荷の軽減 (kankyou fuka no keigen), referring to reducing the 'load' or negative impact humans have on the planet. This term suggests that while the impact might not disappear entirely, the severity is being actively managed and brought down to a more sustainable level.

Collocation: Tax: 軽減税率 (Keigen Zeiritsu) - Reduced tax rate. This is perhaps the most common news-related phrase involving this word.

Collocation: Pain: 痛みの軽減 (Itami no keigen) - Pain relief. Used in pharmacy ads and clinical settings.

この薬は、頭痛を軽減する効果があります。
(This medicine has the effect of alleviating headaches.)

In summary, 軽減 is a word that carries a positive connotation of relief. It is more formal than 'heru' (decrease) and suggests a targeted effort to make a difficult situation more bearable. Whether you are talking about policy, health, or work, it describes the deliberate act of lowering the pressure.

Using 軽減 correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it often appears in the pattern [Target] + の + 軽減. For example, リスクの軽減 (risuku no keigen) means 'reduction of risk.' When used as a verb, it follows the [Target] + を + 軽減する pattern, such as 不安を軽減する (fuan o keigen suru), meaning 'to alleviate anxiety.'

Grammar Tip: When 軽減 acts as a verb, it is transitive. You are actively reducing 'something' (the object). That object is almost always a negative concept like cost, pain, or burden.

Let's look at the Passive Voice. In professional reports, you will often see 軽減される (keigen sareru). For instance, 'The noise is reduced by the new walls' would be 新しい壁によって騒音が軽減される. This highlights the result rather than the actor. In business, 'cost reduction' is a massive topic. While you might know sakugen (削減) for cutting costs, 軽減 is used when the cost is seen as a 'burden' that needs to be lightened for the sake of the entity's health.

家賃の補助が出ることで、生活費の負担が軽減された。
(By receiving a rent subsidy, the burden of living expenses was lightened.)

Another common structure is the Compound Noun. Japanese loves combining kanji words to create specific terms. 負担軽減 (futan keigen - burden reduction), 苦痛軽減 (kutsuu keigen - pain alleviation), and 税負担の軽減 (zei-futan no keigen - reduction of tax burden) are standard. Using these compounds makes your Japanese sound more professional and concise, especially in writing or formal speeches.

In terms of degree, you can use adverbs like 大幅に (oohaba ni - significantly) or 多少 (tashou - slightly) before the verb. 大幅に軽減する suggests a major relief, while 少しでも軽減したい expresses a humble desire to 'lighten the load even just a little bit.' This latter phrase is very common in customer service or when offering help to a colleague.

このツールを使うと、作業時間を軽減できます。
(Using this tool can reduce the working time [burden].)

Finally, consider the causative form 軽減させる. 'The government aims to reduce the burden on citizens' would be 政府は国民の負担を軽減させようとしている. This shows intent and policy direction. Mastering these variations allows you to navigate everything from a visit to the clinic to a high-level business meeting about fiscal policy.

If you live in or visit Japan, 軽減 (keigen) is a word you will see on posters, hear on the news, and read on product packaging daily. It is not just an academic term; it is a practical part of the Japanese social fabric. One of the most ubiquitous places you'll see it is the supermarket. Look for the sign 軽減税率 8%. This refers to the reduced consumption tax rate for food. Because the standard rate is 10%, this 'reduction' is a major point of interest for every shopper.

News & Media: News anchors frequently use 軽減 when discussing government policies aimed at 'easing' the impact of inflation or energy costs. You might hear '電気代の負担軽減策' (measures to reduce the burden of electricity bills).

In a medical or wellness context, 軽減 is everywhere. On the back of a box of painkillers (鎮痛剤 - chintsuuzai), you will see claims that the medicine 'helps alleviate pain' (痛みを軽減します). On television commercials for ergonomic chairs or pillows, the narrator will often say, '腰への負担を軽減します' (Reduces the burden on your lower back). Here, the word is used to sell comfort and relief from physical strain.

レシートを見てください。「軽」という文字は、軽減税率の対象であることを示しています。
(Look at your receipt. The character 'Kei' indicates that the item is subject to the reduced tax rate.)

In the workplace, 軽減 is a keyword for HR and management. During 'Work Style Reform' (働き方改革 - hatarakikata kaikaku) discussions, the focus is often on zangyou no keigen (reduction of overtime). If you are a manager, you might say to your team, '作業の負担を軽減するために、新しいソフトを導入します' (To reduce the workload, we are introducing new software). It sounds professional and shows you care about the team's well-being.

In Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) reports, which are common in Japanese corporate culture, 軽減 is used to discuss 'mitigating environmental risks.' A company might state its goal to CO2 haishutsu no keigen (reduction of CO2 emissions). Even in legal contexts, a lawyer might argue for the keigen of a sentence or penalty due to extenuating circumstances. In all these cases, the word carries a weight of formality and specific intent to improve a situation by lessening a negative factor.

この窓は、外からの騒音を大幅に軽減します。
(These windows significantly reduce the noise from outside.)

So, whether you are checking a receipt, listening to a doctor, or reading a corporate brochure, 軽減 is the signal that something difficult, costly, or painful is being made easier. It is a word of 'relief' in every sense of the term.

While 軽減 (keigen) might seem straightforward as 'reduction,' there are several pitfalls learners often fall into. The most common mistake is using it for physical quantity or count where no 'burden' exists. For instance, if you want to say 'I reduced the number of books in my room,' using 軽減 would be very strange. You should use 減らす (herasu) or 削減 (sakugen) instead. 軽減 requires a 'weight'—either literal (like pressure) or metaphorical (like stress).

Mistake: Dieting: Incorrect: 体重を軽減したい (I want to alleviate my body weight).
Correct: 体重を減らしたい (I want to lose weight).
Explanation: Weight itself isn't a 'burden' in Japanese linguistic logic unless you are talking about the strain on your joints.

Another error is confusing 軽減 with 解消 (kaishou). Kaishou means to completely eliminate or solve a problem (like stress or a contract). Keigen only means to make it smaller or lighter. If you say you '軽減-ed' your stress, it means you still have some stress, but it's better. If you '解消-ed' it, the stress is gone entirely. Choosing the wrong one can give a false impression of how successful your efforts were.

× 人数を軽減する (Reduce the number of people).
○ 人数を減らす / 削減する (Reduce the number of people).
(Note: You only use 軽減 for the *burden* those people cause, not the count of people itself.)

A subtle mistake involves the level of formality. 軽減 is a kango (Sino-Japanese word), which makes it sound formal and objective. In very casual conversation with friends about simple things, it might sound overly stiff. For example, telling a friend 'I'll 軽減 your luggage' (荷物を軽減してあげる) sounds like a robotic translation. Instead, use 持つ (motsu - carry) or 軽くする (karuku suru - make light). Save 軽減 for when you are talking about symptoms, costs, or official responsibilities.

Lastly, be careful with 削減 (sakugen). 削減 is often used for 'cutting' budgets, staff, or resources in a sharp, often negative way (like 'slashing' costs). 軽減 is 'softening' or 'alleviating.' If a company says they are 'cutting' your salary, they use 削減. If they are 'reducing' your tax burden, they use 軽減. Using the wrong one can make a helpful gesture sound like a harsh cut.

× 予算を軽減する (Alleviate the budget).
○ 予算を削減する (Cut the budget).
(Budget is a resource, not a burden, so you 'cut' it rather than 'alleviate' it.)

By keeping these distinctions in mind—focusing on 'burden' vs 'quantity,' 'softening' vs 'cutting,' and 'formal' vs 'casual'—you can avoid the most common errors and use 軽減 like a native speaker.

Japanese has many words for 'reduction' or 'lessening.' Choosing the right one depends on what you are reducing and how you are doing it. 軽減 (keigen) is specific to burdens and symptoms, but here are its closest neighbors:

削減 (さくげん - Sakugen): This means 'to cut' or 'to slash.' It is used for budgets, expenses, or numbers of staff. It implies a sharp reduction, often for the purpose of efficiency or necessity.
Example: 経費削減 (keihi sakugen) - Cost cutting.

緩和 (かんわ - Kanwa): This means 'relaxation' or 'easing.' It is used for rules, tensions, or traffic congestion. While 軽減 focuses on the 'weight,' 緩和 focuses on the 'tightness' or 'strictness' of a situation.
Example: 規制緩和 (kisei kanwa) - Deregulation.

Another important word is 減少 (げんしょう - Genshou). This is a very neutral, scientific term for 'decrease.' It is used for populations, temperatures, or amounts of water. It describes a phenomenon (something decreasing on its own or as a result) rather than an intentional 'alleviation' of a problem.

人口が減少している。
(The population is decreasing.)
※You cannot use 軽減 here because population isn't a 'burden' being lightened.

For physical symptoms, you might also hear 和らげる (yawarageru). This is a native Japanese verb (kun-yomi) that means 'to soften' or 'to ease.' It is less formal than 軽減 and is often used in conversations about emotions or physical comfort. 'Itami o yawarageru' and 'Itami o keigen suru' both mean to ease pain, but the former sounds more gentle and personal.

In a legal or punitive sense, 減免 (げんめん - Genmen) is used. This specifically refers to the reduction or total exemption of taxes, fees, or penalties. While 軽減 might be used for the 'tax rate' (the percentage), 減免 is used for the actual 'act' of forgiving or lowering the payment required.

Summary Table

軽減: Focus on relief from a load/pain.
削減: Focus on cutting numbers/costs.
緩和: Focus on loosening restrictions/stiffness.
減少: Neutral decrease in quantity.

Understanding these distinctions will help you choose the word that best fits the nuance of your situation, making your Japanese sound precise and natural.

How Formal Is It?

豆知識

The kanji 軽 (light) originally depicted a light chariot, while 減 (decrease) depicted water being cut off or lowered. Together, they evoke the image of a load being lightened to make travel easier.

発音ガイド

UK keɪ.ɡen

US keɪ.ɡɛn

Japanese pitch accent: The accent is usually on the second syllable (ke-I-gen), but it is often pronounced flatly (heiban).

韻が合う語

制限 (seigen - limit) 再現 (saigen - reproduction) 提言 (teigen - proposal) 宣言 (sengen - declaration) 経験 (keiken - experience) 平原 (heigen - plain) 名言 (meigen - wise saying) 財源 (zaigen - financial resources)

よくある間違い

Pronouncing 'gen' as 'jen' (like 'gentle'). It must be a hard 'G'.
Confusing 'keigen' with 'keiken' (experience).
Stretching the 'ei' into two distinct vowels instead of a long 'e' sound.
Adding a stress accent like English, which can sound unnatural in Japanese.
Mispelling the kanji with 経 (as in experience) instead of 軽 (light).

難易度

読解 3/5

The kanji are N3/N2 level, but the word is common in daily life (receipts).

ライティング 4/5

Writing the kanji '減' can be tricky for beginners due to the number of strokes.

スピーキング 2/5

The pronunciation is simple, but choosing it over 'herasu' requires nuance.

リスニング 3/5

Can be confused with 'keiken' (experience) in fast speech.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

軽い (karui) 減る (heru) 負担 (futan) 税金 (zeikin) 痛み (itami)

次に学ぶ

削減 (sakugen) 緩和 (kanwa) 解消 (kaishou) 免除 (menjo) 抑制 (yokusei)

上級

寛解 (kankai) 減免 (genmen) 不利益の軽減 (mitigation of disadvantage) 緩和ケア (palliative care)

知っておくべき文法

Suru-verbs (Noun + する)

軽減する (to reduce), 勉強する (to study).

Passive Voice (～される)

負担が軽減される (The burden is reduced).

Causative Form (～させる)

負担を軽減させる (To make [someone] reduce the burden).

Compound Nouns (Kanji + Kanji)

軽減税率 (Reduced tax rate).

Adverbial usage (Noun + に)

大幅に軽減する (To reduce significantly).

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レベル別の例文

この薬で痛みが軽減しました。

The pain was reduced with this medicine.

軽減しました is the polite past form of 軽減する.

食べ物は軽減税率の対象です。

Food is subject to the reduced tax rate.

軽減税率 is a common compound noun.

仕事を少し軽減してください。

Please reduce my work a little.

Noun + を + 軽減してください is a request.

この椅子は腰の負担を軽減します。

This chair reduces the burden on your lower back.

腰の負担 (lower back burden) is a common target for 軽減.

不安を軽減するために音楽を聴きます。

I listen to music to reduce my anxiety.

～するために indicates purpose.

荷物を軽くして、負担を軽減しましょう。

Let's make the luggage lighter and reduce the burden.

軽減しましょう is the volitional 'let's' form.

新しい薬は副作用が軽減されています。

The side effects are reduced in the new medicine.

軽減されています is the present progressive passive.

騒音が軽減されて、静かになりました。

The noise was reduced and it became quiet.

～て form used for cause and effect.

機械を使うと、作業の負担が大幅に軽減されます。

Using machines significantly reduces the burden of the work.

大幅に (significantly) is a common adverb for 軽減.

このサポーターは、膝の痛みを軽減する効果があります。

This supporter has the effect of alleviating knee pain.

～する効果がある means 'has the effect of doing...'

家賃が安くなれば、生活の苦労が軽減されます。

If the rent gets cheaper, the hardships of life will be eased.

Conditional ～ば used with 軽減される.

ストレスを軽減する方法を教えてください。

Please tell me how to reduce stress.

～する方法 means 'the way to do...'

新しいシステムによって、入力の手間が軽減されました。

The trouble of data entry was reduced by the new system.

～によって indicates the means or cause.

政府は、電気代の負担を軽減する方針です。

The government plans to reduce the burden of electricity bills.

方針 (policy/plan) is used in formal announcements.

この窓は、熱を遮断して冷房の負担を軽減します。

This window blocks heat and reduces the load on the air conditioner.

冷房の負担 (AC load) is a technical but common use.

休憩時間を増やすことで、疲労を軽減できます。

By increasing break time, you can reduce fatigue.

～ことで indicates the method.

環境負荷を軽減するために、リサイクルを推進しています。

We are promoting recycling to reduce the environmental impact.

環境負荷 (environmental load) is a formal term.

この法律は、中小企業の税負担を軽減することを目的としています。

This law aims to reduce the tax burden on small and medium-sized enterprises.

～を目的としている means 'is aimed at...'

手術後の痛みを軽減するため、鎮痛剤が投与された。

Painkillers were administered to alleviate post-operative pain.

投与された (was administered) is formal medical Japanese.

テレワークの導入により、通勤のストレスが軽減された。

The introduction of telework reduced the stress of commuting.

～により is a more formal version of ～によって.

災害時の被害を軽減するための訓練が行われた。

Training was conducted to mitigate damage during a disaster.

被害の軽減 (damage mitigation) is common in safety contexts.

この素材は、衝撃を軽減する特殊な構造になっています。

This material has a special structure that reduces impact.

衝撃を軽減する (reduce impact) is used in engineering.

住民の不安を軽減するため、説明会が開かれた。

An explanatory meeting was held to reduce the residents' anxiety.

説明会 (explanatory meeting) is a standard social procedure.

コストを軽減しつつ、品質を維持するのは難しい。

It is difficult to maintain quality while reducing costs.

～しつつ means 'while doing' (formal).

企業の社会的責任として、二酸化炭素の排出を軽減する義務がある。

As a corporate social responsibility, there is an obligation to reduce CO2 emissions.

社会的責任 (CSR) is a B2 level business topic.

リスクを最小限に軽減するための対策を講じる必要がある。

It is necessary to take measures to reduce risks to a minimum.

対策を講じる (to take measures) is a formal collocation.

この新薬は、従来の薬に比べて副作用が劇的に軽減されている。

Compared to conventional drugs, this new drug has dramatically reduced side effects.

劇的に (dramatically) emphasizes the degree of 軽減.

都市部の混雑を軽減するため、新しい地下鉄路線が建設された。

To reduce congestion in urban areas, a new subway line was built.

混雑の軽減 (congestion reduction) is a formal urban planning term.

介護者の負担を軽減するロボットの開発が進んでいる。

The development of robots to reduce the burden on caregivers is progressing.

介護者 (caregiver) is a key term in aging societies.

心理的な負担を軽減するために、カウンセリングが推奨される。

Counseling is recommended to reduce the psychological burden.

心理的な負担 (psychological burden) is a common collocation.

契約内容を見直すことで、金利の負担を軽減できる可能性がある。

By reviewing the contract details, there is a possibility to reduce the interest burden.

金利の負担 (interest burden) is used in finance.

航空機の騒音を軽減する技術は、日々進化している。

Technology for reducing aircraft noise is evolving every day.

騒音軽減 (noise reduction) is a technical compound.

気候変動の影響を軽減するための国際的な協力が不可欠である。

International cooperation to mitigate the effects of climate change is indispensable.

影響を軽減する (mitigate impact) is standard in environmental science.

財政赤字を軽減するための抜本的な改革が求められている。

Drastic reforms to reduce the fiscal deficit are being called for.

抜本的な (drastic/fundamental) is a C1 level adjective.

被告の反省の態度が考慮され、刑罰が一部軽減された。

The defendant's remorseful attitude was considered, and the punishment was partially mitigated.

刑罰の軽減 (mitigation of punishment) is a legal term.

デジタル化の進展は、事務作業の煩雑さを軽減する鍵となる。

The progress of digitalization is key to reducing the complexity of clerical work.

煩雑さ (complexity/tediousness) is a sophisticated noun.

貧困層の生活負担を軽減するための社会保障制度の充実が必要だ。

Enhancing the social security system to reduce the living burden on the poor is necessary.

社会保障制度 (social security system) is a formal policy term.

過度な競争を軽減し、共生の精神を育むことが教育の課題である。

Reducing excessive competition and fostering a spirit of coexistence is a challenge for education.

共生の精神 (spirit of coexistence) is an abstract concept.

サプライチェーンの脆弱性を軽減するため、供給網を多角化する。

Diversify the supply network to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities.

脆弱性を軽減する (mitigate vulnerability) is a C1 business term.

認知負荷を軽減するインターフェース設計が、UXデザインにおいて重要だ。

Interface design that reduces cognitive load is important in UX design.

認知負荷 (cognitive load) is a specialized psychological/design term.

債務の軽減措置が講じられたものの、経済の先行きは依然として不透明だ。

Although debt relief measures were taken, the economic outlook remains opaque.

～ものの (although) is a formal conjunction.

人道的危機の深刻さを軽減するため、迅速な介入が要請されている。

Swift intervention is requested to alleviate the severity of the humanitarian crisis.

深刻さを軽減する (alleviate severity) is highly formal.

法的な責任を軽減し得る証拠が、公判の最終段階で提示された。

Evidence that could mitigate legal responsibility was presented at the final stage of the trial.

～し得る (could possibly) is a very formal suffix.

都市計画において、ヒートアイランド現象を軽減する緑地の確保は急務である。

In urban planning, securing green spaces to mitigate the heat island phenomenon is an urgent task.

ヒートアイランド現象 (heat island phenomenon) is a technical term.

金融市場のボラティリティを軽減するためのマクロ経済政策が議論された。

Macroeconomic policies to mitigate financial market volatility were discussed.

ボラティリティ (volatility) is specialized financial jargon.

差別や偏見を軽減するための包括的な教育プログラムが実施されている。

Comprehensive educational programs are being implemented to reduce discrimination and prejudice.

包括的な (comprehensive) is a formal C2 adjective.

放射性廃棄物の有害性を軽減する技術の実用化が待たれる。

The practical application of technology to reduce the toxicity of radioactive waste is awaited.

有害性を軽減する (reduce toxicity) is a specialized scientific term.

組織内の摩擦を軽減し、生産性を最大化するためのリーダーシップが不可欠だ。

Leadership to reduce friction within the organization and maximize productivity is indispensable.

摩擦を軽減する (reduce friction) is a metaphor for social conflict.

類義語

緩和削減低減減少縮小

反対語

加重増大強化

よく使う組み合わせ

負担を軽減する

痛みを軽減する

軽減税率

リスクを軽減する

環境負荷の軽減

騒音を軽減する

不安を軽減する

症状を軽減する

衝撃を軽減する

大幅に軽減される

よく使うフレーズ

負担軽減

— The act of reducing a burden. Used commonly in workplace efficiency discussions.

スタッフの負担軽減のために増員する。

税負担の軽減

— Reducing the amount of tax someone has to pay. A common political promise.

子育て世代の税負担を軽減する。

苦痛の軽減

— Alleviating physical or mental suffering. Standard in palliative care.

緩和ケアは苦痛の軽減を目的とする。

手間を軽減する

— To reduce the amount of effort or steps required for a task.

自動化で入力の手間を軽減する。

副作用の軽減

— Making the unintended side effects of a medicine less severe.

副作用を軽減した新薬を開発する。

混雑軽減

— Reducing the crowding in a specific area, like a train station.

混雑軽減のため、改札口を増やす。

環境負荷軽減

— Reducing the negative impact on the environment from business activities.

環境負荷軽減に取り組む企業。

疲労軽減

— Reducing physical tiredness, often through better tools or habits.

疲労軽減のための休憩を取る。

リスク軽減策

— Measures taken specifically to lower the possibility of something bad happening.

万全のリスク軽減策を講じる。

ストレス軽減

— Lowering the level of mental tension or pressure.

ストレス軽減に効果があるヨガ。

よく混同される語

軽減 vs 削減 (sakugen)

Sakugen is 'cutting' or 'slashing' (budgets, staff). Keigen is 'alleviating' (burdens, pain).

軽減 vs 緩和 (kanwa)

Kanwa is 'easing' or 'loosening' (rules, traffic, tension). Keigen is 'lightening' a load.

軽減 vs 経験 (keiken)

Sounds similar but means 'experience'. Don't confuse them in listening!

慣用句と表現

"肩の荷が下りる"

— To have a burden removed from one's shoulders. Related to the concept of 軽減.

プロジェクトが終わって、肩の荷が下りた。

Idiomatic

"荷を軽くする"

— To lighten the load. Directly synonymous with the literal meaning of 軽減.

彼の荷を軽くしてあげよう。

Semi-formal

"苦労を分かち合う"

— To share hardships, thereby reducing the individual burden (軽減).

夫婦で苦労を分かち合う。

General

"負担を強いる"

— To force a burden on someone. The opposite of 軽減.

国民に負担を強いる政策。

Formal

"痛み分け"

— A draw where both sides suffer slightly, often used when settling a dispute to 'reduce' further loss.

今回の交渉は痛み分けに終わった。

General

"溜飲を下げる"

— To feel relieved after getting something off one's chest. A form of mental 軽減.

文句を言って溜飲を下げた。

Idiomatic

"矛先を収める"

— To stop an attack or criticism, thereby reducing the pressure (軽減) on the target.

彼はようやく矛先を収めた。

Literary

"腰を据える"

— To settle down and focus, which can help in reducing (軽減) the stress of a chaotic situation.

腰を据えて問題に取り組む。

General

"骨折り損"

— Wasted effort. The opposite of an effective 軽減 of labor.

せっかくの準備も骨折り損だった。

Casual

"手を抜く"

— To cut corners. A negative way to 'reduce' (軽減) one's workload.

仕事で手を抜いてはいけない。

Informal

間違えやすい

軽減 vs 解消 (kaishou)

Both imply making a problem go away.

Kaishou means the problem is 100% gone. Keigen means it is still there but much lighter/easier.

ストレス解消 (Stress is gone) vs ストレス軽減 (Stress is less).

軽減 vs 減少 (genshou)

Both mean decrease.

Genshou is a neutral, scientific decrease in quantity. Keigen is an intentional alleviation of a negative burden.

人口減少 (Population decrease) vs 負担軽減 (Burden reduction).

軽減 vs 抑制 (yokusei)

Both deal with keeping something low.

Yokusei is 'suppression' or 'holding back' something from growing. Keigen is 'lightening' something that already exists.

インフレ抑制 (Suppressing inflation) vs 税負担の軽減 (Alleviating tax burden).

軽減 vs 低減 (teigen)

Very similar in meaning.

Teigen is often used for technical levels (noise, emissions, risk). Keigen is broader and covers physical pain and taxes.

コスト低減 (Cost reduction [technical]) vs 痛み軽減 (Pain relief).

軽減 vs 減免 (genmen)

Both used for taxes.

Genmen is the official act of reducing or exempting a specific payment. Keigen is the general concept of lightening the burden.

授業料の減免 (Tuition exemption) vs 税の軽減 (Tax reduction).

文型パターン

[Negative Thing] を軽減します。

痛みを軽減します。

[Method] で [Negative Thing] が軽減されます。

薬で痛みが軽減されます。

[Purpose] のために [Negative Thing] を軽減する。

健康のためにストレスを軽減する。

[Negative Thing] の軽減を図る。

負担の軽減を図る。

[Negative Thing] を軽減し得る [Method]。

リスクを軽減し得る対策。

[Negative Thing] の軽減措置を講じる。

負債の軽減措置を講じる。

General

[Negative Thing] が大幅に軽減された。

手間が大幅に軽減された。

General

[Negative Thing] 軽減の効果。

疲労軽減の効果。

語族

名詞

軽減 (keigen - reduction)

軽量 (keiryou - lightweight)

軽視 (keishi - making light of)

減少 (genshou - decrease)

減額 (gengaku - price reduction)

動詞

軽減する (keigen suru - to reduce/alleviate)

軽んじる (karonjiru - to look down on)

減る (heru - to decrease [intransitive])

減らす (herasu - to decrease [transitive])

形容詞

軽い (karui - light)

軽やかな (karoyakana - light/airy)

軽率な (keisotsuna - thoughtless/light-headed)

使い方

frequency

Very common in professional, medical, and fiscal contexts.

よくある間違い

体重を軽減する → 体重を減らす
軽減 is for burdens, not physical body weight in a dieting context.
お菓子の数を軽減する → お菓子の数を減らす
You don't 'alleviate' the number of cookies. You just decrease them.
Using 軽減 for positive things. → Using 軽減 for pain, tax, or work.
軽減 specifically implies making something *bad* smaller.
Confusing 軽減 with 経験 (keiken). → Pronouncing 'gen' clearly.
Keiken is experience. Keigen is reduction. They sound similar!
Using 軽減 instead of 削減 for budget cuts. → 予算を削減する
Budgets are resources to be 'cut' (sakugen), not burdens to be 'alleviated' (keigen).

ヒント

Suru-Verb Usage

Remember that 軽減 is a 'suru-verb'. To say 'to reduce,' you must add 'suru'. To say 'was reduced,' use 'sareta'.

Negative Only

Only use 軽減 for negative things. You wouldn't 軽減 your happiness or your savings!

Medical Context

In a hospital, if a doctor asks if your pain has 'keigen' (軽減)ed, they are asking if it has become more bearable.

Receipt Check

Check your Japanese receipts for the character '軽'. It stands for 軽減税率 and means you paid 8% tax instead of 10%.

Formal Reports

Using 負担の軽減 (futan no keigen) in a business report makes you sound like a pro. It's a very standard corporate term.

Keigen vs Sakugen

If you are 'alleviating' someone's trouble, use Keigen. If you are 'slashing' a budget, use Sakugen.

Lighten the Load

The first kanji 軽 means light. Think of making a heavy situation light.

Hard G

Make sure the 'gen' has a hard 'G' sound like 'goat.' Never like 'gentle'.

Shoulder Burden

Combine 軽減 with the idiom '肩の荷' (kata no ni - load on shoulders) to explain how you feel after a task is done.

N3 Goal

This is a target word for the JLPT N3 level. Mastering it early will give you a big advantage in reading news.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of a 'KAY' (kei) boat on the 'GEN' (gen) river. When you throw the heavy rocks overboard, you 'KAY-GEN' the weight and the boat floats higher.

視覚的連想

Imagine a person carrying a huge backpack. A friend comes and takes half the items out. The person sighs with relief. This 'relief' is 軽減.

Word Web

Tax (税) Pain (痛み) Burden (負担) Work (仕事) Stress (ストレス) Noise (騒音) Risk (リスク) Relief (安心)

チャレンジ

Try to find 3 things in your life right now that you want to '軽減' (reduce the burden of). Write them down in Japanese.

語源

The word is a Sino-Japanese compound (kango) consisting of two Chinese characters: 軽 (light) and 減 (decrease). It was adopted into Japanese to describe the formal process of making a burden less heavy.

元の意味： To lighten a load or reduce the quantity of something burdensome.

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

文化的な背景

When using 軽減 in a business context, ensure you are talking about alleviating a burden for someone, not just cutting costs to save money (which can sound cold).

In English, we use 'mitigation' for risks, 'alleviation' for pain, and 'reduction' for taxes. Japanese uses 軽減 for all three, showing how the language groups 'burdens' together.

NHK News: Frequently uses '負担軽減' when discussing social welfare. Japanese Pharmacy Ads: Use '痛みを軽減' as a standard marketing phrase. Consumption Tax Reform (2019): The most famous modern use of '軽減税率'.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Supermarket/Shopping

軽減税率対象商品 (Items subject to reduced tax)
税率8% (8% tax rate)
家計の負担軽減 (Reducing household burden)
レシートの「軽」マーク (The 'Kei' mark on receipts)

Hospital/Pharmacy

痛みの軽減 (Pain relief)
症状を軽減する (Alleviate symptoms)
副作用の軽減 (Reducing side effects)
苦痛を和らげる (Soothing pain)

Office/Workplace

作業負担の軽減 (Workload reduction)
業務の効率化 (Operational efficiency)
残業の軽減 (Overtime reduction)
メンタルヘルスの負担軽減 (Reducing mental health burden)

Politics/Economics

減税措置 (Tax reduction measures)
財政負担の軽減 (Reduction of fiscal burden)
格差の軽減 (Reduction of inequality)
支援策の実施 (Implementation of support measures)

Environment

環境負荷の軽減 (Reducing environmental impact)
排出量の軽減 (Reduction of emissions)
エネルギー消費の軽減 (Reducing energy consumption)
持続可能な開発 (Sustainable development)

会話のきっかけ

"最近、仕事の負担を軽減するために何か工夫していますか？ (Are you doing anything to reduce your workload lately?)"

"この薬は、本当に痛みを軽減してくれますか？ (Does this medicine really alleviate the pain?)"

"軽減税率について、どう思いますか？ (What do you think about the reduced tax rate?)"

"ストレスを軽減するための、おすすめの方法はありますか？ (Do you have any recommended ways to reduce stress?)"

"新しいシステムで、手間が軽減されましたか？ (Has the new system reduced the trouble?)"

日記のテーマ

今日、自分の負担が軽減されたと感じた瞬間はありましたか？ (Was there a moment today when you felt your burden was lightened?)

将来、社会のどのような負担を軽減したいですか？ (What kind of social burden would you like to reduce in the future?)

家事の負担を軽減するために、どのようなツールを使いたいですか？ (What tools would you like to use to reduce the burden of housework?)

他人の苦痛を軽減するために、自分にできることは何だと思いますか？ (What do you think you can do to alleviate the suffering of others?)

環境負荷を軽減するために、今日から始められることは何ですか？ (What can you start doing today to reduce your environmental impact?)

よくある質問

10 問

No, that's a common mistake. For losing weight, use '体重を減らす' (taijuu o herasu) or 'ダイエットする'. 軽減 is for abstract burdens or physical pain, not the physical weight of a person.

Yes. A discount (値引き - nebiki) is a reduction in price by the store. 軽減税率 (keigen zeiritsu) is a lower tax rate set by the government for specific items like food.

The most direct opposite in a formal context is '加重' (kajuu - making heavier) or simply '増大' (zoudai - increasing in scale).

It sounds a bit stiff. In casual chat, people usually say '楽にする' (raku ni suru - make easy) or '軽くする' (karuku suru - make light). Use 軽減 in professional or medical settings.

This is called the '軽減税率' (reduced tax rate) system. It was designed to '軽減' (alleviate) the financial burden on people for essential items like food when the main tax was raised.

Yes, it can. You can say '不安の軽減' (alleviation of anxiety) or '心の負担を軽減する' (reducing the mental burden).

Not necessarily. 'Sakugen' sounds like you are cutting things out (like staff). 'Keigen' sounds like you are making things easier for the staff. Choose based on your intent.

It's 減. It has the 'water' radical on the left and the 'all/completely' part on the right. It's the same 'gen' as in 'genshou' (decrease).

Not completely. It means the problem is 'less severe.' If the problem is 100% solved, use '解消' (kaishou).

軽減 is about 'weight' (burden/pain). 緩和 is about 'tightness' (rules/traffic/tension). You 軽減 a tax burden, but you 緩和 a traffic jam.

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