Increase Decrease, Part 2

For the words 提高 (tígāo) and 降低 (jiàngdī), Use the translations “to raise” and “to lower.”

Structure

Use 提高 or 降低 as transitive verbs in this way:

Subj. + [ 提高/降低 + Obj.]

Common Phrases

Some common objects to be used with 提高 or 降低 include:

• 提高 能力
• 降低 水平

These verbs are usually used in relation to levels or abilities, and in this sense 提高 is often translated as “improve.” (Note that for many of the things you talk about “improving,” it may not make sense to use 降低 .) The words 提高 and 降低 are not used equally often in Chinese, the word 提高 being much more frequent. This is largely for psychological reasons, since we frequently talk about what we’re actively trying to “raise,” and not about what we are trying to “lower.” This is not to say that 降低 is not used in certain circumstances; it’s just used comparatively less often.

Common Phrases

• 提高 能力
• 提高 水平
• 提高 效率
• 提高 质量
• 提高 产量
• 提高 地位
• 提高 业绩

• 降低 成本
• 降低 费用
• 降低 风险