B2 verb Neutral

감소하다

[kam.sʰo.ha.da]

To become smaller in size, amount, or number. It is the direct opposite of '증가하다' and essential for describing downward trends.

Examples

3 of 5
1

범죄율이 작년 대비 감소했습니다.

The crime rate has decreased compared to last year.

2

운동을 하면 체지방이 감소합니다.

If you exercise, body fat decreases.

3

수입이 줄어들어서 소비도 감소했어요.

Income decreased, so consumption also decreased.

Word Family

Noun
감소
Verb
감소하다
💡

Memory Tip

Gam-so: 'Gam' (subtract/lessen). Like 'Gam-ja' (potato) getting smaller as you peel it.

Quick Quiz

흡연 인구가 예전에 비해 많이 ______.

Correct!

The correct answer is: 감소했다

Examples

1

범죄율이 작년 대비 감소했습니다.

formal

The crime rate has decreased compared to last year.

2

운동을 하면 체지방이 감소합니다.

academic

If you exercise, body fat decreases.

3

수입이 줄어들어서 소비도 감소했어요.

everyday

Income decreased, so consumption also decreased.

4

회사는 비용을 감소하기 위해 노력 중입니다.

business

The company is working to reduce costs.

5

내 인기가 감소하는 것 같아.

informal

I feel like my popularity is decreasing.

Word Family

Noun
감소
Verb
감소하다

Common Collocations

급격히 감소하다 to decrease rapidly
점차 감소하다 to decrease gradually
인구가 감소하다 population decreases
매출이 감소하다 sales decrease
위험을 감소하다 to reduce risk

Common Phrases

감소 추세

decreasing trend

대폭 감소

significant decrease

감소 요인

decreasing factor

Often Confused With

감소하다 vs 줄어들다

Jul-eo-deul-da is native Korean; Gam-so-ha-da is Sino-Korean and more formal.

📝

Usage Notes

Commonly used in Task 1 for line graphs and bar charts.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Ensure the subject matches a numerical or measurable value.

💡

Memory Tip

Gam-so: 'Gam' (subtract/lessen). Like 'Gam-ja' (potato) getting smaller as you peel it.

📖

Word Origin

From Hanja 減 (lessen) and 少 (few/small).

Grammar Patterns

~이/가 감소하다 ~으로 감소하다
🌍

Cultural Context

Often discussed in the context of South Korea's declining birth rate.

Quick Quiz

흡연 인구가 예전에 비해 많이 ______.

Correct!

The correct answer is: 감소했다

More academic words

영향

B2

The power or effect that something has on another person, thing, or situation. It is a core concept in academic writing when discussing cause and effect.

주장하다

B2

To state strongly that something is true, especially when others might disagree. This is a fundamental verb for reporting opinions in academic essays.

증가하다

B2

To become greater in size, amount, or degree. This is the most common verb used in IELTS Writing Task 1 to describe upward trends in graphs.

관점

B2

A particular way of considering or evaluating something; a perspective. It is used to present different angles of an argument.

결과

B2

A thing that is caused or produced by something else; an outcome. Crucial for discussing findings in research or the effects of social issues.

효과적이다

B2

Successful in producing a desired or intended result. Used to evaluate solutions or methods in academic discussions.

강조하다

B2

To give special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing. Used to highlight key points in an argument.

비교하다

B2

To estimate, measure, or note the similarity or dissimilarity between two or more things. It is a core skill for evaluating different theories or datasets.

구조

B2

The arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something complex. Can refer to physical buildings, social systems, or the organization of an essay.

구성하다

B2

To form, compose, or organize something by putting various parts or elements together. Used for describing structures of groups, books, or substances.

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