decrece

Decrece is a conjugated form of the Spanish verb decrecer. It corresponds to the third-person singular present indicative form (él/ella/usted decrece) and also to the affirmative informal imperative for tú (¡decrece!). In discourse, the form indicates that something is currently decreasing. Example: "La población decrece."

Decrecer, the infinitive, means to become smaller or to diminish in size, number, or intensity. In modern Spanish, the full present tense paradigm is: yo decrezco, tú decreces, él decrece, nosotros decrecemos, vosotros decrecéis, ellos decrecen. The form decrece is used with singular subjects in the present indicative, and is also the form used for the affirmative tú command in this verb class. Plural subjects use decrecen (they decrease).

Etymology and related forms: decrece derives from Latin decrescere, from de- (down, away) + crescere (to grow). Related forms include decrecer (infinitive), decrezco (yo form in the present), decrecerán (they will decrease), and the noun decrecimiento, which denotes degrowth or a process of shrinking.

Usage notes: Decrece appears in contexts discussing demographic changes, economic indicators, natural phenomena, or any situation in which a quantity declines over time. It is appropriate for formal and informal writing when describing a single subject in the present tense. For plural subjects, use decrecen; for related ideas, consider synonyms such as disminuir or menguar, or the noun decrecimiento if the concept is framed as a process.

See also: decrecer, decrecimiento, disminuir, menguar, reducción, crecimiento.