缩减 (jiǎn suō) is a compound verb meaning 'to cut down' or 'to reduce', especially in formal, written, or official contexts. It combines two characters with overlapping meanings: 减 (jiǎn) means 'to decrease' or 'to subtract', and 缩 (suō) means 'to shrink' or 'to contract'. Together, they emphasize a deliberate, often significant reduction in size, quantity, scope, or duration — not just a minor adjustment. The word carries a sense of intentionality and control, frequently appearing in policy documents, business reports, health guidelines, or academic writing.

It’s commonly used with nouns like costs, staff, time, emissions, or consumption — always followed by the thing being reduced (e.g., 缩减开支, 缩减人员). Unlike simpler verbs like 少 (shǎo) or 降低 (jiàngdī), 缩减 implies structural or strategic downsizing, often for efficiency, sustainability, or compliance. It rarely appears in casual speech; native speakers typically use 减少 (jiǎnshǎo) or 简化 (jiǎnhuà) in everyday conversation.