réduire la consommation
to reduce consumption
Use this phrase when you want to sound responsible about cutting back on resources or habits.
En 15 segundos
- To use less of a resource or product.
- Commonly used for ecology, health, and personal finances.
- A neutral, versatile phrase for formal and informal life.
Significado
It simply means using less of something, whether it is electricity, sugary snacks, or even your shopping habit. It is about cutting back to save money, stay healthy, or help the planet.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Talking to a roommate about the bills
On doit vraiment réduire la consommation d'électricité cet hiver.
We really need to reduce our electricity consumption this winter.
A doctor giving health advice
Il est important de réduire la consommation de sel pour votre cœur.
It is important to reduce salt consumption for your heart.
Texting a friend about a shopping habit
J'essaie de réduire ma consommation de fast-fashion, c'est dur !
I'm trying to reduce my fast-fashion consumption, it's hard!
Contexto cultural
In recent years, the French concept of 'la sobriété' has turned this phrase into a national mantra. It shifted from a purely economic term to a daily lifestyle choice driven by environmental concerns and energy costs. You will see it on posters in the Métro and hear it in every political debate.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember the 'de' after 'consommation'. If the next word starts with a vowel, it becomes d', like 'consommation d'alcool'.
The 19-Degree Rule
In France, 'réduire la consommation' often refers specifically to heating. Mentioning 'le chauffage à 19 degrés' is a classic cultural reference.
En 15 segundos
- To use less of a resource or product.
- Commonly used for ecology, health, and personal finances.
- A neutral, versatile phrase for formal and informal life.
What It Means
Réduire la consommation is your go-to phrase for cutting back. It is incredibly versatile. You can use it for your morning coffee or global energy usage. It implies a conscious effort to use less. It is about being mindful. Think of it as the opposite of 'going overboard.'
How To Use It
You use it just like the English equivalent. Pair it with de to be specific. For example, réduire la consommation d'eau. It works as a goal or a command. You will see it in news headlines often. You can also use it in a text to a roommate. It is a very 'active' phrase. It suggests you are taking control of a habit.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing the environment. It is perfect for talking about a new diet. Use it at work when discussing budget cuts. It fits perfectly in a doctor's office. If you are trying to save money, tell your friends this. It sounds responsible and clear. It is great for New Year's resolutions. Just don't use it to sound like a robot at a party.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid it in very romantic settings. Telling a date to réduire la consommation of wine is a mood killer. Do not use it for people. You do not 'consume' friends or time in this way. It is mostly for resources, food, or energy. If someone is talking too much, this phrase is too formal. Use parle moins instead. Keep it to things you can actually measure.
Cultural Background
France is currently obsessed with la sobriété énergétique. This is a fancy way of saying 'using less energy.' The government even asks citizens to keep heaters at 19 degrees. Reducing consumption is seen as a civic duty now. It is not just about being cheap. It is about being a 'citoyen' (citizen). The French take pride in not wasting food. It is a mix of old-school thrift and modern ecology.
Common Variations
You might hear limiter la consommation. This is slightly softer. Freiner la consommation means to put the brakes on it. In slang, you might hear se calmer sur. For example, calme-toi sur le café! This is much more informal. Faire attention à sa consommation is a very common, gentle way to say it. It sounds less like a textbook and more like a friend.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral and widely understood. It is safe to use in almost any context, from a scientific report to a casual chat about diet.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember the 'de' after 'consommation'. If the next word starts with a vowel, it becomes d', like 'consommation d'alcool'.
The 19-Degree Rule
In France, 'réduire la consommation' often refers specifically to heating. Mentioning 'le chauffage à 19 degrés' is a classic cultural reference.
Don't be too robotic
While correct, saying 'Je réduis ma consommation de cigarettes' sounds a bit like a textbook. In casual speech, people often say 'J'arrête' or 'Je fume moins'.
Ejemplos
6On doit vraiment réduire la consommation d'électricité cet hiver.
We really need to reduce our electricity consumption this winter.
A practical, everyday use regarding household management.
Il est important de réduire la consommation de sel pour votre cœur.
It is important to reduce salt consumption for your heart.
Standard medical advice context.
J'essaie de réduire ma consommation de fast-fashion, c'est dur !
I'm trying to reduce my fast-fashion consumption, it's hard!
Relatable and informal use of a serious phrase.
Je devrais réduire ma consommation de champagne... mais demain seulement !
I should reduce my champagne consumption... but only tomorrow!
Using a formal-sounding phrase for a humorous effect.
Notre objectif est de réduire la consommation de papier de 50%.
Our goal is to reduce paper consumption by 50%.
Professional setting focusing on corporate social responsibility.
Réduire ma consommation de sucre a changé ma vie.
Reducing my sugar consumption changed my life.
Reflective and personal tone.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct preposition to complete the phrase.
Il faut réduire la consommation ___ viande.
In French, 'consommation' is followed by 'de' to indicate what is being consumed.
Which verb fits best for a goal of using less?
Pour économiser, nous allons ___ notre consommation d'eau.
'Réduire' means to reduce, which aligns with the goal of saving (économiser).
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality of 'Réduire la consommation'
Using 'se calmer sur' with friends.
Calme-toi sur le chocolat !
Standard use of 'réduire la consommation'.
Je réduis ma consommation de café.
Government or scientific reports.
La réduction de la consommation nationale.
Where to use 'Réduire la consommation'
At the Doctor
...de sucre
At Home
...d'énergie
The Environment
...de plastique
Finance
...de produits de luxe
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNot at all! You can use it for electricity, water, fuel, or even digital screen time like la consommation d'écrans.
Yes, réduire la consommation de vêtements is a very common topic in French discussions about fast fashion.
It is neutral. It is perfectly fine to say to a friend, though it sounds a bit more 'serious' than just saying je fais attention.
You can use the verb diminuer or the phrase faire gaffe à (watch out for) as in je fais gaffe à ce que je mange.
The opposite would be augmenter la consommation (to increase consumption).
Yes, it is often linked to la décroissance (degrowth), a political movement in France focused on reducing production and consumption.
Yes, réduire sa consommation d'alcool is the standard way to talk about drinking less for health reasons.
Yes, it is always la consommation. So you say ma consommation or une consommation.
Usually no. For time, we use passer moins de temps (spend less time). You 'consume' resources, not hours.
Very much so. It is used for consommation intermédiaire (intermediate consumption) in accounting and logistics.
Frases relacionadas
Faire des économies
Gaspiller
La sobriété énergétique
Diminuer la cadence
Se serrer la ceinture
Comentarios (0)
Inicia Sesión para ComentarEmpieza a aprender idiomas gratis
Empieza Gratis