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"Disminuir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to reduce", and "menguar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to decrease". Learn more about the difference between "disminuir" and "menguar" below.
disminuir(
dees
-
mee
-
nweer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to lessen)
a. to reduce
Al tomar una curva, tienes que disminuir la velocidad.You have to reduce your speed when taking a bend.
c. to bring down (prices)
Una mayor competencia les ha forzado a disminuir los precios.Increased competition has forced them to bring down their prices.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
2. (to lessen)
b. to drop (level or quantity)
Se espera que las temperaturas disminuyan en los próximos días.Temperatures are expected to drop in the next few days.
c. to fall (level or quantity)
La tasa de interés disminuyó de un cinco a un cuatro por ciento.The rate of interest fell from five to four per cent.
d. to diminish (enthusiasm or power)
A pesar de las idas y venidas de la moda, su prestigio no ha disminuido.In spite of the comings and goings in fashion, its prestige hasn't diminished
e. to wane (enthusiasm or power)
El interés en ese tipo de libros está disminuyendo.Interest in that kind of book is waning.
menguar(
mehng
-
gwahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to decrease
Es alarmante que el número de alumnos en nuestra escuela mengüe cada año.It's alarming that the number of students in our school decreases every year.
Las ganancias de la firma han menguado en cada uno de los últimos cinco años.The firm's profits have decreased every year for the last five years.
b. to diminish
Según una encuesta reciente, la influencia de la religión ha estado menguando.According to a recent survey, the influence of religion has been diminishing.
c. to go down
El precio del salmón menguó cuando se redujo el consumo.The price of salmon went down as the rate of its consumption dropped.
d. to dwindle
La población mengua porque la tasa de natalidad es baja.The population is dwindling because the birth rate is low.
2. (astronomy)
a. to wane
Los piratas zarparon antes de que menguara la luna.The pirates set sail before the moon waned.
3. (knitting)
a. to decrease
Mi abuela tomó la aguja de tejer y me enseñó a menguar.My grandmother took the knitting needle and taught me how to decrease.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
4. (to reduce)
a. to lessen
La nueva ley mengua la carga fiscal para las pequeñas y medianas empresas.The new law lessens the tax burden on small and medium-size businesses.
b. to diminish
No bebas alcohol, ya que este mengua la efectividad del medicamento.Don't drink alcohol; it diminishes the effectiveness of the medication.
5. (knitting)
a. to decrease
Para lograr que la manga se estreche, tienes que empezar a menguar los puntos.To taper the sleeve, you need to start decreasing your stitches.
