vermindern
Translation
to reduce, to decrease, to diminish, to lessen
Examples
Wir müssen die Kosten vermindern.
We have to reduce the costs.
Die Wirkung des Medikaments vermindert sich.
The effect of the medicine is diminishing.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) vermindern to reduce sth. We must reduce the costs.
sich vermindern to decrease, to diminish The number of students is decreasing.
Similar Words
Synonyms: reduzieren, senken; Antonyms: erhöhen, steigern
Etymology
From the prefix 'ver-' (indicating change) and 'mindern' (to lessen), from 'minder' (less). Literally 'to make less'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'minder' as being related to 'minus'. The 'ver-' prefix often implies a process or change. So, to change to minus, i.e., to reduce.