vähentaa

The Finnish verb *vähentää* means "to reduce" or "to decrease." It is a fundamental word in the Finnish language, commonly used in both everyday speech and formal contexts to describe actions that lower quantity, intensity, or value. The verb belongs to the class of transitive verbs, meaning it requires a direct object to express its meaning fully.

The infinitive form of *vähentää* is *vähentää*, and its past tense is *vähensi*. The present tense conjugations follow standard Finnish verb patterns, such as *vähennän* (I reduce), *vähennät* (you reduce), and *vähennetään* (one reduces, passive form). The verb is often paired with prepositions like *kunnolla* (by a certain amount) or *kanssa* (together with) to specify how reduction occurs.

In mathematics and finance, *vähentää* is frequently used to describe subtraction. For example, "kolme vähennettynä kahdesta on yksi" translates to "three minus two is one." In everyday language, it can refer to actions like lowering prices, reducing stress, or diminishing noise levels. The verb also appears in compound words, such as *vähentääkseen* (to reduce) or *vähentäminen* (the act of reducing).

The word shares etymological roots with the noun *vähennys*, meaning "reduction" or "deduction," and is derived from the adjective *vähäinen*, which means "small" or "few." While similar in meaning to verbs like *pienentää* (to make smaller), *vähentää* is more commonly used in contexts involving numerical or measurable decreases. Its usage is widespread across Finnish dialects and registers, making it a versatile and essential part of the language.