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A2 verb 12 min read

réduire

Examples
Explanation réduire in your Level:
At the A1 level, you will mostly encounter réduire in the context of shopping and prices. You might see it on a sign in a shop window saying 'Prix réduits' (Reduced prices). At this stage, you don't need to conjugate it perfectly in all tenses, but you should recognize it as a word that means 'less' or 'smaller'. You might use it in very simple sentences like 'Je veux réduire le sucre' (I want to reduce sugar). It is a helpful word for basic needs and expressing simple desires to decrease something. You should also be aware of the noun form une réduction, which you will hear often when asking for a discount. For example, 'Est-ce que je peux avoir une réduction ?' (Can I have a discount?). Understanding this word helps you navigate basic commercial interactions in a French-speaking environment. Focus on the connection between réduire and the English word 'reduce' to help you remember its meaning easily.
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At the A2 level, you begin to use réduire more actively in daily conversations. You can use it to talk about your habits, such as 'Je réduis ma consommation de viande' (I am reducing my meat consumption) or 'Nous devons réduire nos déchets' (We must reduce our waste). You will also start to see it in recipes, where it means to simmer a liquid. You should be able to conjugate it in the present tense: je réduis, tu réduis, il réduit, nous réduisons, vous réduisez, ils réduisent. Notice the 's' that appears in the plural forms, which is a common feature of verbs ending in -uire. You will also use it when talking about travel and speed, such as 'Réduisez votre vitesse' (Reduce your speed). At this level, you are expected to understand the word in common contexts like health, environment, and basic instructions. It's an important verb for describing changes you are making in your lifestyle or following simple technical directions.
At the B1 level, you use réduire to discuss more complex topics like the economy, social issues, and professional tasks. You can explain the reasons why something needs to be reduced, using more advanced sentence structures. For example, 'Il est nécessaire de réduire les inégalités pour assurer la paix sociale' (It is necessary to reduce inequalities to ensure social peace). You should be comfortable using réduire in the passé composé (j'ai réduit) and the futur simple (je réduirai). You will also encounter the pronominal form se réduire à, which means 'to be limited to'. For instance, 'Son travail se réduit à répondre au téléphone' (His work is limited to answering the phone). At this stage, you should also be able to use the preposition de to express the amount of reduction: 'Les prix ont été réduits de 30%'. This precision is key for B1 level communication. You are now moving beyond simple physical reduction to abstract concepts of limitation and simplification.
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At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of réduire and be able to distinguish it from synonyms like diminuer, baisser, or amoindrir. You use it in formal arguments and professional reports. For example, you might discuss 'réduire l'empreinte carbone' (reducing the carbon footprint) or 'réduire les coûts de production' (reducing production costs). You are expected to use it in more complex grammatical constructions, including the subjunctive: 'Il est crucial que nous réduisions nos dépenses' (It is crucial that we reduce our expenses). You also understand its use in the passive voice to describe a state: 'Ses espoirs ont été réduits à néant' (His hopes were reduced to nothing). At B2, you recognize the stylistic impact of the word; it sounds more formal and precise than baisser. You can also use it in culinary contexts with confidence, explaining the process of making a reduction sauce. Your vocabulary is now rich enough to use réduire in professional, academic, and technical discussions.
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At the C1 level, you use réduire with precision and stylistic flair. You understand its metaphorical and literary uses, such as 'réduire quelqu'un au silence' (to silence someone) or 'réduire une ville' (to conquer a city). You can use it to discuss philosophical or mathematical concepts, like 'réduire une expression' or 'réduire un problème à ses éléments essentiels'. Your mastery of the verb includes all its derived forms and related idioms. You can use it in highly formal writing to convey a sense of rigorous analysis or drastic action. For example, 'La politique monétaire vise à réduire l'inflation galopante' (Monetary policy aims to reduce rampant inflation). You are also aware of the subtle differences in register; for instance, choosing réduire over diminuer to sound more authoritative or technical. You can read complex texts where réduire might be used in an archaic or highly specialized sense and still grasp the intended meaning. Your use of the word reflects a deep understanding of French semantics and syntax.
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At the C2 level, you have a native-like command of réduire and can use it in any context, from the most casual to the most erudite. You are capable of using it in creative writing or complex debate to express subtle shades of meaning. You might use it in a phrase like 'réduire la pensée à des slogans' (reducing thought to slogans) to criticize a lack of depth in discourse. You are fully comfortable with the historical evolution of the word and its place in various specialized fields like law, medicine, and chemistry. Your use of the word is effortless, and you can play with its different meanings to create puns or rhetorical effects. For example, you might use the double meaning of 'réduction' in a witty comment about a chef's budget and his sauces. At this level, réduire is just one tool in a vast and sophisticated linguistic toolkit, used with total precision to convey exact nuances of diminishment, simplification, or subjugation. You can analyze the use of the word in classical French literature and compare it to modern usage with ease.
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Examples
The French verb réduire is a versatile and essential term that every French learner must master, especially as they transition from basic survival French to more descriptive and analytical communication. At its core, réduire means to diminish, to lessen, or to bring something down to a smaller size, quantity, or intensity. It is the direct descendant of the Latin reducere, which literally translates to 'to lead back.' In modern French, this 'leading back' has evolved into a broad spectrum of applications ranging from the physical act of shrinking an object to the abstract concept of simplifying a complex mathematical equation.
Physical Diminishment
When you physically make something smaller, such as a photo on a screen or the physical footprint of a building, you are using the verb réduire. It implies a deliberate action to change dimensions.
Economic Contexts
In the world of finance and retail, réduire is ubiquitous. You will hear it in discussions about lowering prices, cutting taxes, or decreasing public spending. It carries a sense of necessity and calculation.

Le magasin a décidé de réduire les prix de vingt pour cent pour attirer plus de clients pendant les soldes d'été.

Beyond the physical and economic, réduire is a staple in the culinary arts. A chef might instruct an apprentice to 'réduire la sauce' (reduce the sauce), which means to boil a liquid until it thickens and the flavors become more concentrated through evaporation. This specific usage highlights the transformative nature of the verb; it is not just about losing volume, but about gaining intensity. In social contexts, the verb can also take on a more figurative and sometimes negative meaning. To 'réduire quelqu'un au silence' means to silence someone, often by force or intimidation. This demonstrates the power dynamics often inherent in the word. It is also used in the passive voice or pronominal form se réduire à, meaning 'to be limited to' or 'to come down to.' For example, 'Tout son argument se réduit à une seule idée' (His whole argument boils down to a single idea).

Il faut réduire notre consommation de plastique pour protéger les océans et la biodiversité marine.

Understanding réduire also requires recognizing its synonyms and nuances. While diminuer is a close synonym, réduire often implies a more active, intentional, or technical process. If a fever goes down on its own, you use baisser or diminuer. If a doctor gives you medicine to lower it, they are trying to réduire the fever. This distinction is subtle but important for reaching a B2 or C1 level of fluency.
Culinary Usage
The process of simmering a liquid to thicken it is called 'une réduction'. This is a fundamental technique in French gastronomy.

La cuisinière fait réduire le bouillon pendant des heures pour obtenir un jus de viande savoureux et onctueux.

Finally, the word is central to environmental discourse. The phrase 'réduire, réutiliser, recycler' (reduce, reuse, recycle) is the cornerstone of sustainable living in the Francophone world. Here, réduire is the most important step, as it prevents waste before it is even created.

Pour lutter contre le réchauffement climatique, nous devons impérativement réduire nos émissions de gaz à effet de serre.

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Using réduire correctly involves understanding its conjugation as a third-group verb and its relationship with various prepositions. Because it ends in -uire, it follows the pattern of verbs like conduire (to drive) or produire (to produce). This means in the present tense, the endings are -s, -s, -t, -isons, -isez, -isent. Mastery of these endings is crucial for natural-sounding French.
Transitive Usage
In most cases, réduire is used with a direct object. You reduce 'something.' For example: 'Je réduis ma consommation de sucre' (I am reducing my sugar consumption).
Prepositional Nuances
When you reduce something to a certain state, you use the preposition à. Example: 'Réduire un document à sa plus simple expression' (To reduce a document to its simplest form).

Nous avons réussi à réduire le temps d'attente de moitié grâce à ce nouveau logiciel de gestion.

One of the most common sentence patterns involves expressing a percentage or a specific amount of reduction. In French, you typically use de for the amount of change. 'Le prix a été réduit de 10 euros.' This is a common point of confusion for English speakers who might want to say 'par 10 euros.' In more advanced grammar, the pronominal form se réduire is used to describe something that is limited or simplified to a specific core. 'Son rôle se réduit à ouvrir la porte' (His role is limited to opening the door). This implies that there is nothing more to the situation than what is mentioned.

Si tu veux perdre du poids, tu devrais réduire tes portions lors des repas du soir.

The Passive Voice
It is very common to see the past participle réduit used as an adjective. 'Un prix réduit' (a reduced price) or 'un effectif réduit' (a reduced staff). It must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies.

Les chances de succès sont réduites si nous ne travaillons pas ensemble dès maintenant.

When instructing someone, the imperative is frequently used: 'Réduisez le feu' (Turn down the heat/flame) is a common instruction in recipes. This uses the 'vous' form to be polite or to address a general audience.

N'oubliez pas de réduire la taille de l'image avant de l'envoyer par courrier électronique.

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You will encounter the word réduire in a vast array of real-life situations in France and other Francophone countries. It is a 'high-frequency' verb because it touches on economics, daily habits, and professional life.
At the Supermarket
Look for labels that say 'Prix réduit' or 'Réduction immédiate'. During the 'soldes' (sales) seasons in January and July, signs everywhere will scream about 'réduire les prix'.
In the News
Journalists frequently use réduire when discussing the 'déficit budgétaire' (budget deficit) or 'le chômage' (unemployment). It is the standard term for government efforts to lower these figures.

Le gouvernement cherche des solutions pour réduire la fracture sociale entre les villes et les campagnes.

On French television, especially on cooking shows like 'Top Chef' or 'Le Meilleur Pâtissier', you will hear chefs constantly telling contestants to réduire their sauces. They might say, 'Il faut faire réduire ce jus pour qu'il nappe bien la cuillère' (You need to reduce this juice so it coats the spoon well). This is a technical requirement for high-quality French cuisine. Environmental activism is another major sphere where réduire is dominant. In France, there is a strong movement called 'Zéro Déchet' (Zero Waste). Their motto always starts with 'Réduire notre production de déchets'. You will see this on posters in city halls (mairies) and on recycling bins.

L'objectif de cette nouvelle loi est de réduire de moitié le gaspillage alimentaire d'ici deux mille trente.

In the Office
Managers use it to talk about 'réduire les délais' (reducing deadlines/turnaround time) or 'réduire les coûts opérationnels'. It is a key verb for efficiency and productivity discussions.

Pour être plus efficace, nous devons réduire le nombre de réunions inutiles chaque semaine.

Finally, in the digital world, you will see it in software menus. 'Réduire la fenêtre' means to minimize the window on your computer screen. This is the standard term used in Windows and macOS in French.

Cliquez sur le bouton jaune en haut à gauche pour réduire la fenêtre de votre navigateur.

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English speakers often face specific hurdles when using réduire. The most frequent error is related to prepositions. In English, we say 'reduce BY 20 percent,' but in French, the preposition is de. Saying 'réduire par vingt pour cent' is a classic anglicism that sounds unnatural to native ears.
Confusion with 'Diminuer'
While often interchangeable, diminuer can be intransitive (something decreases on its own), whereas réduire almost always implies an external agent doing the reducing. You can say 'Le vent diminue' (The wind is dying down), but you wouldn't say 'Le vent réduit'.
Conjugation Errors
Learners often forget the 's' in the plural forms. They might say 'nous réduisons' correctly but then misspell 'ils réduisent' or forget the 'i' entirely. Remember: réduisons, réduisez, réduisent.

Attention : on ne dit pas 'réduire par 50%', on dit 'réduire de 50%'.

Another common pitfall is the use of réduire when baisser is more appropriate. Baisser is specifically used for things that have a height or a level, like sound, temperature, or curtains. While you can 'réduire le volume', 'baisser le volume' is much more common in daily speech. Using réduire for volume can sound a bit overly technical or formal in a casual setting. In the past tense (passé composé), remember that réduire uses the auxiliary avoir. Some learners mistakenly use être because they associate the word with a change of state. It should be 'J'ai réduit' and never 'Je suis réduit' (unless you mean 'I am reduced to...', which is a different construction).

Le chef a réduit la sauce pendant vingt minutes pour concentrer les arômes de la truffe.

The 'à rien' Trap
The expression 'réduire à néant' means to destroy completely or to nullify. Learners sometimes say 'réduire à rien', which is understandable but less idiomatic than 'à néant' or 'à zéro'.

Cette erreur de calcul a réduit à néant tous nos efforts des six derniers mois.

Lastly, be careful with the passive voice. While 'être réduit à' is correct, it often carries a heavy emotional weight, suggesting someone is forced into a miserable condition. 'Il est réduit à mendier' (He is reduced to begging). Using it for simple things might sound overly dramatic.

Après la faillite de son entreprise, il s'est retrouvé réduit à vivre dans sa voiture.

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To truly master réduire, you must know its 'neighbors' in the French language. Depending on the context—whether it's cooking, finance, or physical size—other verbs might be more precise.
Diminuer vs. Réduire
Diminuer is more general. It can be something you do (transitive) or something that happens (intransitive). Réduire is more technical and usually implies a deliberate action to change a limit or a quantity.
Baisser vs. Réduire
Baisser is used for levels (sound, temperature, light). You 'baisse le son' of the TV. If you 'réduis le son', you might be referring to the technical bit-rate of the audio file.

On peut diminuer l'intensité de la lumière, mais on réduit la taille d'une image.

In a culinary context, you might hear concentrer or épaissir. While réduire describes the process (boiling off liquid), épaissir (to thicken) describes the result. A chef might say 'Fais réduire la sauce pour l'épaissir'. For physical size, raccourcir (to shorten) is used for length, and rétrécir is used for things that shrink, like clothes in a hot wash. You wouldn't say your sweater 'a réduit', you would say it 'a rétréci'.

Ma grand-mère a dû raccourcir mon pantalon car il était beaucoup trop long pour moi.

Amoindrir
This is a more formal and literary synonym meaning to weaken or diminish the value or strength of something. 'Amoindrir les risques' (To lessen the risks).
Élaguer
Literally meaning to prune a tree, it is used figuratively to mean 'cutting down' or 'trimming' a text or a project to its essentials.

Le rédacteur a élagué le manuscrit pour le rendre plus dynamique et facile à lire.

Finally, in the context of speed, ralentir (to slow down) is the most natural verb for driving, though 'réduire sa vitesse' is the official term found in driving manuals and on road signs.

Tu devrais ralentir à l'approche de ce virage dangereux, la route est glissante.

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Examples by Level

1

Je veux réduire le sucre dans mon café.

I want to reduce the sugar in my coffee.

Simple present tense: Je + réduis.

2

Le magasin va réduire les prix demain.

The store is going to reduce the prices tomorrow.

Futur proche: aller + infinitive.

3

Il faut réduire la vitesse ici.

It is necessary to reduce the speed here.

Impersonal expression: Il faut + infinitive.

4

Elle réduit son temps de travail.

She is reducing her work time.

Present tense: Elle + réduit.

5

Réduisez le feu, s'il vous plaît.

Reduce the heat, please.

Imperative form for 'vous'.

6

Nous réduisons nos déchets à la maison.

We are reducing our waste at home.

Present tense: Nous + réduisons.

7

Tu réduis la taille de la photo ?

Are you reducing the size of the photo?

Question in the present tense.

8

Le prix est réduit de cinq euros.

The price is reduced by five euros.

Passive construction with 'être'.

1

J'ai réduit ma consommation de viande cette année.

I have reduced my meat consumption this year.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

2

Ils ont réduit le nombre d'employés dans l'usine.

They reduced the number of employees in the factory.

Passé composé: Ils + ont + réduit.

3

On peut réduire le stress avec le sport.

One can reduce stress with sports.

Modal verb 'pouvoir' + infinitive.

4

Vous devez réduire la sauce pendant dix minutes.

You must reduce the sauce for ten minutes.

Modal verb 'devoir' + infinitive.

5

Le médecin m'a dit de réduire le sel.

The doctor told me to reduce salt.

Indirect command: dire de + infinitive.

6

Est-ce que tu peux réduire le volume de la radio ?

Can you reduce the volume of the radio?

Interrogative with 'pouvoir'.

7

L'entreprise veut réduire ses dépenses de voyage.

The company wants to reduce its travel expenses.

Verb 'vouloir' + infinitive.

8

Nous allons réduire la durée de la réunion.

We are going to reduce the duration of the meeting.

Futur proche.

1

Le gouvernement espère réduire le chômage d'ici un an.

The government hopes to reduce unemployment within a year.

Verb 'espérer' + infinitive.

2

Son rôle dans le film se réduit à quelques scènes.

His role in the movie is limited to a few scenes.

Pronominal form 'se réduire à'.

3

Si nous réduisons les coûts, nous serons plus rentables.

If we reduce costs, we will be more profitable.

Conditional sentence type 1: Si + present, futur.

4

Il a fallu réduire le texte pour qu'il tienne sur une page.

It was necessary to reduce the text so it would fit on one page.

Passé composé of 'falloir' + infinitive.

5

Le prix a été réduit de vingt pour cent pendant les soldes.

The price was reduced by twenty percent during the sales.

Passive voice with 'être' and 'de'.

6

Elle a réduit son budget pour pouvoir s'acheter une voiture.

She reduced her budget to be able to buy a car.

Passé composé with purpose clause 'pour'.

7

Nous réduirons notre consommation d'énergie cet hiver.

We will reduce our energy consumption this winter.

Futur simple: Nous + réduirons.

8

Il réduit toujours ses arguments à l'essentiel.

He always reduces his arguments to the essentials.

Present tense with 'à l'essentiel'.

1

Il est impératif que l'industrie réduise ses émissions de CO2.

It is imperative that the industry reduce its CO2 emissions.

Subjunctive mood: que + réduise.

2

Le projet a été réduit à sa plus simple expression.

The project was reduced to its simplest form.

Passive voice with idiomatic expression.

3

Ils ont réduit la fracture sociale grâce à de nouvelles lois.

They reduced the social divide thanks to new laws.

Metaphorical use of 'réduire'.

4

La sauce doit réduire jusqu'à ce qu'elle devienne onctueuse.

The sauce must reduce until it becomes creamy.

Culinary context with 'jusqu'à ce que' + subjunctive.

5

En réduisant ses effectifs, l'entreprise a évité la faillite.

By reducing its workforce, the company avoided bankruptcy.

Gérondif: En + réduisant.

6

Les risques de complications ont été considérablement réduits.

The risks of complications have been considerably reduced.

Passive voice with an adverb.

7

Elle ne se réduit pas à son apparence physique.

She is not limited to her physical appearance.

Negative pronominal form.

8

Réduire le temps de trajet est la priorité de la ville.

Reducing travel time is the city's priority.

Infinitive as a subject.

1

L'auteur s'efforce de réduire la complexité du sujet sans le trahir.

The author strives to reduce the complexity of the subject without betraying it.

Reflexive verb 's'efforcer de' + infinitive.

2

Le tyran a réduit toute opposition au silence par la terreur.

The tyrant silenced all opposition through terror.

Idiomatic expression 'réduire au silence'.

3

Sa fortune s'est réduite comme peau de chagrin après la crise.

His fortune dwindled away like 'peau de chagrin' after the crisis.

Literary idiom: 'se réduire comme peau de chagrin'.

4

Il faut réduire ces fractions au même dénominateur.

These fractions must be reduced to a common denominator.

Mathematical technical term.

5

L'armée a fini par réduire la forteresse après un long siège.

The army finally conquered the fortress after a long siege.

Military/historical sense of 'conquering'.

6

Le débat ne saurait se réduire à une simple question d'argent.

The debate cannot be reduced to a simple question of money.

Formal construction with 'ne saurait'.

7

Elle a réduit ses prétentions salariales pour obtenir le poste.

She lowered her salary expectations to get the job.

Abstract noun 'prétentions salariales'.

8

Le chercheur a réduit les données en un modèle mathématique élégant.

The researcher reduced the data into an elegant mathematical model.

Scientific/analytical context.

1

L'œuvre de Proust ne peut être réduite à une simple quête du temps perdu.

Proust's work cannot be reduced to a simple quest for lost time.

Passive voice with a modal verb in a literary context.

2

Le projet fut réduit en cendres par l'incendie criminel.

The project was reduced to ashes by the arson.

Passé simple (literary) and idiom 'réduit en cendres'.

3

Sa rhétorique tend à réduire l'adversaire à ses erreurs passées.

His rhetoric tends to reduce the opponent to their past mistakes.

Abstract philosophical usage.

4

Le médecin a procédé à la réduction de la hernie avec succès.

The doctor successfully performed the reduction of the hernia.

Medical noun form 'réduction'.

5

On ne peut réduire l'humain à sa seule dimension biologique.

One cannot reduce the human being to their biological dimension alone.

Philosophical subject-object relationship.

6

Le poète réduit le monde à quelques vers d'une intensité rare.

The poet reduces the world to a few verses of rare intensity.

Stylistic/literary context.

7

La tension s'est réduite à mesure que la nuit tombait.

The tension lessened as night fell.

Pronominal form with temporal expression.

8

Il a fallu réduire le métal en poudre pour l'expérience.

The metal had to be reduced to powder for the experiment.

Technical/scientific process.

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