Meaning
降低 means to make something go down in level, degree, or amount. It's commonly used for降 (descend) + 低 (low), creating the sense of bringing something down to a lower position. This verb applies to abstract concepts like prices, standards, temperature, risk, or voice volume.
Usage
降低 is a formal-to-neutral verb frequently used in official contexts, news, business, and everyday conversation. It typically takes an object (what is being lowered). Common patterns include 降低 + noun (价格/成本/风险). Unlike 减少 which emphasizes reducing quantity, 降低 emphasizes lowering level or degree.
Examples
- 01公司决定降低产品价格来吸引更多顾客。.The company decided to lower product prices to attract more customers.
- 02我们需要降低能源消耗，保护环境。, .We need to reduce energy consumption to protect the environment.
Characters
Common collocations
- 降低成本to reduce costs
- 降低价格to lower prices
- 降低风险to reduce risk
- 降低标准to lower standards
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 降 (to descend) with 低 (low), literally meaning to cause something to descend to a low position. This compound structure is typical of modern Chinese verb formation.