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B1 noun #2,500 most common 5 min read

감소

gamso
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 감소 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 감소 in your Level:
At the A1 level, '감소' might be a bit difficult because it is a formal Hanja word. Most beginners learn the native Korean verb '줄다' or '줄어들다' first. However, you can think of '감소' as the formal way to say 'less'. You might see it on a simple graph or in a basic news headline. If you see '감소', just remember it means 'the number is going down'. For example, if you have 10 apples and now you have 5, the number of apples has '감소' (decreased). It is the opposite of '증가' (increase/more). At this level, just try to recognize the word when you see it in a formal context like a classroom or a textbook.
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At the A2 level, you should start to distinguish between casual and formal words. While you use '줄어들다' when talking to friends about your phone battery or time, you should use '감소' when you are looking at a chart or talking about something more serious. For example, in a simple Korean test, you might see a question about a graph showing that 'the number of students is decreasing' (학생 수가 감소하고 있습니다). You should learn that '감소' is a noun and '감소하다' is the verb. It is very common in weather reports (temperature decrease) or simple health tips (stress decrease). Try to remember it as a pair with '증가' (increase).
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At the B1 level, '감소' is an essential word. You are expected to understand and use it in intermediate-level writing and speaking. This is the level where you start discussing social issues, and '감소' is a key word for that. You should be able to describe trends: 'The population is decreasing' (인구가 감소하고 있다) or 'The use of plastic is decreasing' (플라스틱 사용량이 감소하고 있다). You should also notice how it combines with other words, like '급격히 감소하다' (to decrease sharply). At this level, you should be comfortable using '감소' in the TOPIK II writing task 53, where you have to describe a graph showing a downward trend.
At the B2 level, you need to understand the nuances between '감소' and its synonyms like '하락', '축소', and '감축'. You should know that '감소' is the most general term for a decrease in quantity. You will encounter this word in complex news articles, documentaries, and business reports. You should be able to use it in various grammatical forms, such as '감소 추세' (a downward trend) or '감소 원인' (the cause of the decrease). You should also be able to use the causative form '감소시키다' to explain how one thing causes another to decrease, such as 'New policies reduced the crime rate' (새로운 정책이 범죄율을 감소시켰다).
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At the C1 level, you should have a sophisticated command of '감소' and its related academic expressions. You will use it to analyze complex data and provide logical arguments. You should be familiar with collocations like '감소폭' (the range/width of decrease) and '감소세로 돌아서다' (to turn into a downward trend). At this level, you are expected to understand the subtle differences in formal register. For instance, in a high-level economic discussion, you would choose '감소' over '줄어듦' to maintain a professional tone. You should also be able to interpret the implications of '감소' in various fields, from demographics to environmental science, and discuss them fluently.
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At the C2 level, '감소' is a basic building block for highly specialized discourse. You should be able to use it effortlessly in scholarly writing or professional policy-making contexts. You will understand its use in idiomatic or highly technical phrases and be able to contrast it with very specific terms like '감쇄' (attenuation) or '경감' (mitigation/alleviation). A C2 learner can analyze the '감소' of a specific metric within a multi-faceted system, discussing its correlation with other variables using precise academic Korean. Your usage should be indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, utilizing the word to build complex, nuanced, and persuasive arguments.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

감소 in 30 Seconds

  • 감소 is a formal Sino-Korean noun meaning 'decrease' or 'reduction'.
  • It is commonly used in statistics, news, and academic writing.
  • The verb form is 감소하다 and the antonym is 증가 (increase).
  • It differs from '줄어들다' by being more formal and focused on measurable data.

The Korean word 감소 (Gam-so) is a formal noun derived from Hanja (Sino-Korean characters) that signifies a reduction, decline, or decrease in quantity, size, or intensity. In the landscape of the Korean language, it serves as a cornerstone for discussing statistics, economic trends, and scientific observations. Unlike its native Korean counterpart '줄어들다', which is more versatile in casual conversation, 감소 carries a weight of precision and formality, making it the preferred choice for news reports, academic papers, and professional presentations.

Etymological Root
The first character 減 (덜 감) means to subtract or diminish, while the second character 少 (적을 소) means few or small. Together, they literally translate to 'becoming fewer or smaller'.
Statistical Nuance
It is frequently paired with nouns like '인구' (population), '매출' (sales), or '수량' (quantity) to indicate a measurable downward trend.
Opposite Concept
Its direct antonym is 증가 (Jeung-ga), meaning increase. Mastering these two words allows a learner to describe almost any fluctuating data point in Korean.

"최근 출산율의 급격한 감소는 사회적 문제입니다." (The recent rapid decrease in the birth rate is a social problem.)

— Example of formal usage in social commentary

"기온의 감소로 인해 감기 환자가 늘고 있습니다." (Due to the decrease in temperature, the number of cold patients is increasing.)

"수출 감소가 경제 성장에 영향을 미칩니다." (The decrease in exports affects economic growth.)

"스트레스의 감소는 건강에 매우 중요합니다." (The reduction of stress is very important for health.)

"사용자 수의 감소 원인을 분석해야 합니다." (We must analyze the cause of the decrease in the number of users.)

Using 감소 effectively requires understanding its role as a formal noun. It is most frequently used in the structure [Noun] + [Subject/Topic Particle] + 감소하다 or as a standalone noun in phrases like [Noun]의 감소.

1. Describing Trends

In business or news, you will see it paired with adverbs that describe the speed or scale of the change:

  • 급격한 감소 (Geup-gyeok-han gam-so): A sharp/rapid decrease.
  • 점진적인 감소 (Jeom-jin-jeok-in gam-so): A gradual decrease.
  • 일시적인 감소 (Il-si-jeok-in gam-so): A temporary decrease.

2. Common Verb Pairings

While 감소하다 is the standard verb, you might also see 감소시키다 (to cause a decrease/to reduce). For example, "정부는 범죄를 감소시키기 위해 노력하고 있습니다" (The government is working to reduce crime).

Formal Context (감소)

"인구가 감소하고 있습니다."

(The population is decreasing - Statistical/Formal)

Casual Context (줄어들다)

"용돈이 줄어들었어요."

(My pocket money decreased - Personal/Everyday)

When writing a report, always choose 감소. When talking to a friend about your weight loss or your phone battery, 줄어들다 is more natural.

You will encounter 감소 in specific environments where data and objective facts are prioritized. It is a high-frequency word in the following domains:

1. The Evening News (뉴스)

News anchors use this word daily. Whether they are discussing the decline in stock prices, the drop in the unemployment rate, or the reduction in fine dust levels, 감소 is the standard terminology.

2. Academic and Scientific Research

In research papers (논문), researchers use 감소 to describe experimental results. "A그룹의 반응 속도가 감소했다" (Group A's reaction speed decreased).

3. Corporate Environments

During quarterly meetings, managers will talk about '비용 감소' (cost reduction) or '매출 감소' (decrease in sales). It sounds professional and precise.

Typical News Headline:

"올해 취업자 수 3개월 연속 감소... 고용 시장 한파"

(Number of employed people decreases for 3 consecutive months... Cold wave in the job market)

If you are taking the TOPIK II exam, especially the writing section (Task 53 - describing a graph), 감소 is an essential vocabulary word you must use to score high marks.

Even advanced learners sometimes stumble with the nuances of 감소. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid:

  • ✕

    Confusing with '작아지다' (Physical Size)

    Don't say "내 옷이 감소했어요" if your clothes shrank. Use '줄어들다' or '작아지다'. 감소 is for abstract quantities or numbers.

  • ✕

    Overusing in Casual Speech

    Saying "친구 수가 감소했어" to a friend sounds like you are reading a sociological report about your social life. Use "친구가 줄었어" instead.

  • ✕

    Incorrect Particle Usage

    When using '감소하다', the thing that is decreasing usually takes the subject particle (이/가). Example: "수출이(O) 감소하다" vs "수출을(X) 감소하다". Use '을/를' only with '감소시키다' (to reduce something).

Comparison Table

WordBest ForVibe
감소Numbers, Stats, TrendsFormal/Academic
줄어들다Size, Amount, LengthNatural/Versatile
하락Prices, Grades, ValueEconomic/Specific

Korean has several words for 'decrease', each with a specific nuance. Choosing the right one makes your Korean sound much more natural.

1. 하락 (Ha-rak)
Specifically used for values that go 'down' on a scale, like prices, stock values, or grades. While 감소 is about quantity, 하락 is about value or level.
2. 축소 (Chuk-so)
Used when the scale or scope of something is reduced. For example, '사업 축소' (downsizing a business) or '인원 축소' (reduction of personnel).
3. 감축 (Gam-chuk)
Often used for intentional reductions, like '예산 감축' (budget cuts) or '탄소 배출 감축' (carbon emission reduction). It implies a purposeful action to lower something.
4. 저하 (Jeo-ha)
Used for a decline in quality, ability, or function. For example, '기능 저하' (decline in function) or '체력 저하' (decline in physical strength).

Quick Rule of Thumb:

If you can count it or measure it as a quantity (like 100 to 80), use 감소. If it's about how good or valuable it is, look for 하락 or 저하.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

-아/어지다 (to become...)

-게 되다 (to end up...)

-기 위해 (in order to...)

-로 인해 (due to...)

-에 따라 (according to...)

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Examples by Level

1

학생 수가 감소해요.

The number of students decreases.

감소해요 is the polite present tense.

2

사과가 감소했습니다.

The apples decreased (in number).

Past tense of 감소하다.

3

돈이 감소해요.

The money is decreasing.

Simple subject + verb.

4

쓰레기가 감소합니다.

Trash is decreasing.

Formal polite ending -습니다.

5

비가 감소해요.

The rain is decreasing.

Natural phenomenon.

6

인기가 감소해요.

Popularity is decreasing.

Abstract noun usage.

7

감소가 빨라요.

The decrease is fast.

감소 as a noun subject.

8

수량이 감소해요.

The quantity decreases.

Basic noun + verb.

1

최근에 독서량이 감소했습니다.

Recently, the amount of reading has decreased.

Noun + 량 (amount) + 감소.

2

겨울에는 기온이 감소합니다.

In winter, the temperature decreases.

General fact usage.

3

운동을 하면 체중이 감소해요.

If you exercise, your weight decreases.

Conditional -면.

4

수출이 작년보다 감소했습니다.

Exports decreased compared to last year.

Comparison -보다.

5

관객 수가 조금씩 감소하고 있어요.

The number of audience members is decreasing little by little.

Progressive tense -고 있다.

6

설탕 섭취를 감소시켜야 합니다.

We must reduce sugar intake.

Causative verb 감소시키다.

7

나무의 수가 감소하고 있습니다.

The number of trees is decreasing.

Environmental context.

8

스트레스 감소에 도움이 됩니다.

It helps in reducing stress.

Noun + 에 도움이 되다.

1

출산율 감소는 심각한 문제입니다.

The decrease in birth rate is a serious problem.

Social issue context.

2

경제가 어려워지면서 소비가 감소했다.

As the economy got difficult, consumption decreased.

Reasoning with -면서.

3

정부는 실업률을 감소시키기 위해 노력 중이다.

The government is trying to reduce the unemployment rate.

Purpose -기 위해.

4

기술의 발전으로 작업 시간이 감소했다.

With the development of technology, work time decreased.

Cause and effect.

5

이 약은 통증 감소에 효과가 있습니다.

This medicine is effective in reducing pain.

Medical context.

6

환경 오염으로 인해 생물 다양성이 감소하고 있다.

Biodiversity is decreasing due to environmental pollution.

-로 인해 (due to).

7

인터넷 사용이 늘면서 TV 시청 시간이 감소했다.

As internet use increased, TV viewing time decreased.

Inverse relationship.

8

수입이 감소해서 생활비를 줄여야 해요.

Since income decreased, I have to reduce living expenses.

Cause and effect with -어서.

1

인구 감소 추세가 멈추지 않고 있습니다.

The trend of population decrease is not stopping.

감소 추세 (downward trend).

2

기업들은 비용 감소를 위해 구조조정을 단행했다.

Companies carried out restructuring to reduce costs.

Business terminology.

3

탄소 배출량 감소는 기후 위기 대응의 핵심이다.

Reducing carbon emissions is key to responding to the climate crisis.

Policy context.

4

학령 인구의 급격한 감소로 폐교되는 학교가 늘고 있다.

Due to the sharp decrease in the school-age population, the number of closed schools is increasing.

Complex cause-effect.

5

금리 인상은 부동산 거래량 감소로 이어졌다.

The interest rate hike led to a decrease in real estate transaction volume.

-로 이어지다 (led to).

6

면역력이 감소하면 질병에 걸리기 쉽습니다.

If immunity decreases, it is easy to catch diseases.

Biological context.

7

광고비 지출을 감소시켰음에도 매출은 유지되었다.

Even though advertising expenses were reduced, sales were maintained.

-음에도 불구하고 (despite).

8

어족 자원의 감소를 막기 위해 어획량을 제한한다.

To prevent the decrease of fish resources, fishing quotas are limited.

Resource management.

1

생산 가능 인구의 감소는 잠재 성장률 하락을 초래한다.

A decrease in the working-age population leads to a decline in the potential growth rate.

Economic theory.

2

대기 오염 물질의 감소가 생태계 회복에 기여하고 있다.

The reduction of air pollutants is contributing to the recovery of the ecosystem.

Environmental science.

3

인지 기능의 감소를 늦추기 위해 지속적인 두뇌 활동이 필요하다.

Continuous brain activity is needed to slow the decline of cognitive function.

Gerontology context.

4

정부의 규제 완화가 오히려 세수 감소를 불러왔다는 비판이 있다.

There is criticism that the government's deregulation actually brought about a decrease in tax revenue.

Political/Economic debate.

5

수요 감소에 따른 가격 하락 압력이 거세지고 있다.

Pressure for price drops due to decreasing demand is intensifying.

Market dynamics.

6

농촌 지역의 인구 감소는 지역 소멸 위기로 번지고 있다.

The population decrease in rural areas is spreading into a crisis of regional extinction.

Sociological crisis.

7

에너지 소비 효율을 높여 자원 낭비를 감소시켜야 한다.

We must reduce resource waste by increasing energy consumption efficiency.

Sustainability discourse.

8

심리적 저항감의 감소가 정책 수용도를 높이는 데 결정적이었다.

The decrease in psychological resistance was decisive in increasing policy acceptance.

Psychology/Public Policy.

1

기술적 특이점에 도달하면 인간의 노동 가치는 급격히 감소할 것으로 전망된다.

It is predicted that the value of human labor will decrease sharply once the technological singularity is reached.

Futurism/Economics.

2

해당 약물은 염증 매개 물질의 발현을 유의미하게 감소시키는 것으로 나타났다.

The drug was shown to significantly reduce the expression of inflammatory mediators.

Medical research terminology.

3

사회적 자본의 감소는 공동체의 결속력을 약화시키는 근본 원인이다.

The decrease in social capital is the fundamental cause of weakening community cohesion.

Sociological theory.

4

환율 변동성 감소는 외환 시장의 안정성을 시사하는 지표이다.

The decrease in exchange rate volatility is an indicator suggesting the stability of the foreign exchange market.

Finance/Macroeconomics.

5

생물학적 노화에 따른 근육량 감소, 즉 근감소증은 노년기 삶의 질을 좌우한다.

The decrease in muscle mass due to biological aging, namely sarcopenia, determines the quality of life in old age.

Medical/Biological precision.

6

정보의 비대칭성 감소가 시장의 효율성을 극대화하는 기제로 작용한다.

The reduction of information asymmetry acts as a mechanism to maximize market efficiency.

Economic mechanism.

7

주권 국가의 권한 감소는 글로벌 거버넌스의 강화와 궤를 같이한다.

The decrease in the authority of sovereign states goes hand in hand with the strengthening of global governance.

International relations.

8

심해 생태계의 산소 농도 감소는 해양 생물 다양성에 치명적인 위협이 된다.

The decrease in oxygen concentration in deep-sea ecosystems poses a fatal threat to marine biodiversity.

Oceanography.

Antonyms

증가 확대 상승

Common Collocations

인구 감소 (population decrease)
매출 감소 (sales decrease)
비용 감소 (cost reduction)
급격한 감소 (sharp decrease)
점진적 감소 (gradual decrease)
수량 감소 (quantity decrease)
체중 감소 (weight loss)
범죄 감소 (crime reduction)
스트레스 감소 (stress reduction)
탄소 감소 (carbon reduction)

Common Phrases

감소 추세 (downward trend)
감소 원인 (cause of decrease)
감소폭 (range of decrease)
감소세로 돌아서다 (to start decreasing)
현격한 감소 (noticeable decrease)
지속적인 감소 (continuous decrease)
일시적 감소 (temporary decrease)
감소 대책 (measures for decrease)
감소 현상 (phenomenon of decrease)
감소율 (rate of decrease)

Often Confused With

감소 vs 검소 (frugality/simplicity)

감소 vs 감상 (appreciation/sentiment)

감소 vs 감소 (decrease) vs 하락 (fall in value)

Idioms & Expressions

"눈에 띄게 감소하다 (to decrease noticeably)"
"바닥을 치고 감소하다 (to decrease after hitting a peak - conceptual)"
"꼬리에 꼬리를 무는 감소 (chain reaction of decreases)"
"감소의 늪에 빠지다 (to fall into a swamp of decrease)"
"기하급수적 감소 (exponential decrease)"
"반토막이 나다 (to be cut in half - casual synonym)"
"자취를 감추다 (to disappear - related to extreme decrease)"
"썰물처럼 빠져나가다 (to decrease like an ebbing tide)"
"찬물을 끼얹다 (to dampen/decrease enthusiasm)"
"풀이 죽다 (to decrease in spirit/energy)"

Easily Confused

감소 vs 하락

Used for prices/grades.

감소 vs 축소

Used for size/scale.

감소 vs 감축

Used for intentional cuts (budget/personnel).

감소 vs 저하

Used for quality/ability.

감소 vs 경감

Used for burdens/pain.

Sentence Patterns

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How to Use It

causative

Use '감소시키다' when you are the agent of change.

formal vs informal

Always use '감소' in writing; '줄어들다' in speaking.

Common Mistakes
  • Using '감소' for physical shrinking of clothes.
  • Using the object particle '을/를' with '감소하다'.
  • Using '감소' in very casual, intimate conversations.
  • Confusing '감소' with '검소' (frugal).
  • Using '감소' when '하락' (price drop) is more appropriate.

Tips

Learn the Hanja

Knowing 減 (Decrease) helps you learn words like 감량, 감점, and 감축 easily.

TOPIK Success

Always use '감소' when describing charts in the TOPIK writing section to sound academic.

Natural Flow

If you are talking to a friend, stick to '줄었어'. '감소했어' sounds like a robot.

News Keywords

When you hear '인구' (population), listen for '감소' right after it.

Subject Particle

Remember: [Thing]이/가 감소하다. Don't use the object particle 을/를 here.

Social Issues

Use '감소' to discuss environmental or social changes in Korea.

Minus Sign

Imagine the 'ㄱ' in 감소 as a minus sign pointing down.

Graph Titles

Look for '감소' in the titles of charts in Korean newspapers.

Business Meetings

Use '비용 감소' (cost reduction) to impress your Korean colleagues.

Causative Form

Master '감소시키다' to explain how you achieved a result.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Sino-Korean (Hanja)

Cultural Context

Population decline is the #1 context for this word in Korea today.

Used heavily in the 'K-Economy' reports to describe export trends.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"요즘 한국의 인구 감소에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?"

"스트레스를 감소시키는 가장 좋은 방법이 뭐라고 생각해요?"

"최근에 독서량이 감소한 이유가 무엇일까요?"

"우리 회사의 비용을 감소시킬 아이디어가 있나요?"

"기온 감소로 인해 날씨가 많이 추워졌죠?"

Journal Prompts

지난 한 달 동안 내가 줄이고 싶었던 습관(감소시키고 싶은 습관)에 대해 써보세요.

최근에 내 삶에서 무엇이 감소했는지 적어보세요 (예: 자유 시간, 스트레스).

인구 감소 문제를 해결하기 위한 창의적인 방법을 제안해 보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, '체중 감소' is a very common and formal way to say weight loss. However, in casual talk, '살이 빠졌어요' is more common.

'감소' is a formal noun (Sino-Korean), while '줄어들다' is a native Korean verb. '감소' is for data/reports; '줄어들다' is for everything else.

Not necessarily. '범죄 감소' (decrease in crime) or '오염 감소' (decrease in pollution) are positive things.

You say '급격한 감소' (Geup-gyeok-han gam-so).

Yes, '시간 감소' (reduction in time) is possible in a technical sense, like '작업 시간 감소' (reduction in work time).

Yes, it is a high-frequency word for the TOPIK II writing and reading sections.

The direct antonym is '증가' (increase).

No, use '작아지다' or '축소' for physical dimensions.

It is a noun. You make it a verb by adding '하다' (감소하다).

It means a 'downward trend' or 'decreasing tendency'.

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