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"Reducir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to reduce", and "achicar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to make smaller". Learn more about the difference between "reducir" and "achicar" below.
reducir(
rreh
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doo
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seer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to reduce
En la junta discutiremos cómo reducir los gastos generales.In the meeting, we'll discuss how to reduce our overhead costs.
Puedes seguir unos pasos sencillos para reducir tus impuestos federales.You can take simple steps to reduce your federal taxes.
b. to decrease
Nuestro objetivo es reducir los precios durante un periodo de seis meses.Our aim is to decrease prices over a six-month period.
c. to cut
Puedes reducir el gasto en alimentación usando cupones.You can cut food expenses using coupons.
a. to reduce
Su casa fue reducida a cenizas tras un incendio.Their home was reduced to ashes by a fire.
3. (automobile)
b. to shift down to (gear)
Reduce la marcha para subir la cuesta.Shift down to a lower gear to go up the hill.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Reduce la marcha antes del semáforo.Slow down before the stoplight.
Hay que reducir la marcha en estas curvas.You need to downshift on these bends.
4. (to control)
a. to subdue
La meditación lo ayudó a reducir sus sentimientos de ira.Meditation helped him subdue his feelings of anger.
b. to overpower
La policía redujo al hombre que amenazaba al público.The police overpowered the man who was threatening the public.
5. (chemistry)
a. to reduce
La reacción química de estos elementos reduce el oxígeno molecular en agua.The chemical reaction of these elements reduces molecular oxygen to water.
reducirse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to come down to
El debate se redujo a si era necesaria una reforma de la educación.The debate came down to whether educational reform was needed.
a. to drop
Los precios deberían reducirse en consonancia con el sueldo mínimo.Prices should drop in line with the minimum wage.
achicar(
ah
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chee
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kahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to reduce)
a. to make smaller
Voy a achicar un poco la foto para que quepa en el portarretratos.I'll make the picture smaller so it can fit in the frame.
b. to take in (clothing)
La costurera tuvo que achicar mi vestido porque adelgacé.The seamstress had to take in my dress because I lost weight.
a. to bail out (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Jack achicó toda el agua del bote con una cubeta.Jack bailed the water out of the boat with a bucket.
b. to bale out (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
La tienda empezó a inundarse, así que el empleado achicó el agua tan rápido como pudo.The shop started flooding, so the clerk baled out the water as fast as he could.
c. to pump out
Conseguimos una máquina para achicar el agua del pozo.We got a machine to pump out water from the well.
a. to intimidate
¿Quién quiere trabajar para un jefe que sólo achica a sus empleados?Who wants to work for a boss who just intimidates his employees?
b. to browbeat
Hay una niña en el salón que achica a la mayoría de sus compañeros.There's a girl in the class who browbeats most of her classmates.
achicarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to be intimidated
Sara parece achicarse ante el policía.Sara seems to be intimidated by the police officer.
a. to become smaller
Me dijeron en el banco que el interés de mi deuda puede achicarse si la liquido en los próximos meses.I was told at the bank that the interest on my debt can become smaller if I pay it off in the next few months.
