Mnemonic
A storm floods the streets. A giant dog opens its mouth and gulps the rising water. With every massive slurp, the flood begins to dwindle. The dog keeps drinking until the waters dwindle to nothing—leaving one very bloated pup sitting on dry ground.
Additional thoughts
Picture a cartoonishly enormous dog slurping up an entire flood, the water level visibly dropping with each gulp. The storm rages but the dog's thirst is greater—everything dwindles.Quick recall
A storm flood is gulped by a dog's huge mouth, making the water dwindle to nothing.Details
The keyword for 減 is dwindle. This kanji conveys the idea of something decreasing, diminishing, or becoming less in quantity or intensity over time. It captures the sense of gradual reduction, whether applied to numbers, volume, strength, or any measurable amount that is shrinking. The character is commonly associated with concepts of decline, subtraction, and curtailment.
- On'yomi
- げん
- Kun'yomi
- へ.る、へ.らす