1. to make something smaller or reduce in amount
使變小；減少
We need to less our expenses to save money.
我們需要減少開支來省錢。
The company lessened its carbon footprint by 20%.
該公司將其碳足跡減少了20%。
Less Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
less
verb
快速理解
What does "Less" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Less"?
「less」主要用作比較級，表示數量、程度或重要性上的減少或較低。
- 1
數量較少
EN: a smaller amount or quantity
翻譯: 指數量、份量或體積上比某個基準更少。
- 2
程度較低
EN: to a smaller extent or degree
翻譯: 指在程度、強度或重要性上較低或較不顯著。
- 3
減去、扣除
EN: minus; subtracted from
翻譯: 用於數學或計算中，表示減去某數量。
- 4
較不；不如
EN: not as much; not so much
翻譯: 用於比較，表示在某方面不如另一者。
小提醒：注意「less」通常用於不可數名詞（如 less water），而「fewer」用於可數名詞複數（如 fewer books）。但在口語中，有時會混用。
發音（How to Pronounce "Less" in English）
How to pronounce "Less" in English?"Less" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Less" from YouTube Videos
Why is social media actually dumb.
meiqiii
“but what happens then is that more and more people are just on their phones and on social media and less and less people are talking to actual people in real life.”
(1 out of 289)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Less"?How does "Less" change by context?
2. to become smaller in degree or intensity
（程度或強度）減弱，降低
The pain lessened after taking the medication.
服藥後疼痛減輕了。
Her anxiety lessened as she gained more experience.
隨著經驗增加，她的焦慮感降低了。
3. to make something seem less important or significant
使顯得較不重要；貶低
He tried to less her achievements, but everyone knew her value.
他試圖貶低她的成就，但每個人都知道她的價值。
Don't less the importance of this decision.
不要輕視這個決定的重要性。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Less"?How to make natural sentences with "Less"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| less + noun | 減少… | We need to less our expenses. (我們需要減少開支。) |
| less + the + noun | 使…變少 | The new policy will less the burden on taxpayers. (新政策將減輕納稅人的負擔。) |
| less + something + by + amount | 將某物減少特定數量 | The recipe says to less the sugar by half a cup. (食譜說要將糖減少半杯。) |
| less + one's + noun (e.g., workload, stress) | 減輕一個人的（負擔、壓力等） | He hired an assistant to less his workload. (他雇了一名助理來減輕他的工作量。) |
用法說明
How is "Less" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Less"?
less + 名詞 vs less + 形容詞/副詞
- less + 不可數名詞：表示「較少的（量）」，用於修飾不可數的事物。
- less + 形容詞/副詞：構成比較級，表示「較不…」，用於描述程度或性質。
- 注意區分 less（用於不可數名詞）和 fewer（用於可數名詞複數）的常見錯誤。
- less than 用於比較數量，而 not as... as 用於比較性質。 EN: We need less sugar in this recipe. 翻譯: 這個食譜需要少放點糖。
EN:This movie is less interesting than the book.
翻譯:這部電影沒有原著書那麼有趣。
總結建議
使用 less 時，先判斷其後接的是不可數名詞（表數量）還是形容詞/副詞（表程度），即可避免多數錯誤。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Less" and similar words?How to choose "Less" vs alternatives?
less vs fewer
「less」用於不可數名詞，表示數量較少；「fewer」用於可數名詞，表示數量較少。
less vs lesser
「less」主要用於比較數量或程度；「lesser」通常作為形容詞，表示重要性、規模或價值較低。
less vs minus
「less」表示比較或減少；「minus」主要作為介系詞，表示數學上的減法或缺少某物。
口語用法
How is "Less" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Less"?
引述
在口語中，less 常用來引述或轉述他人說的話，特別是當想表達「某人說…」或「據說…」時。
EN: He was like, "I need less drama in my life."
翻譯: 他當時就說：「我的人生需要少點戲劇性。」
EN:And I was just thinking, less talking, more doing, you know?
翻譯:我那時就在想，少說多做，你懂吧？
語氣強調
less 可用於加強語氣，表達強烈的偏好、建議或對比，常與 much、way、a lot 等詞連用。
EN: I would much less rather go out; let's just stay in.
翻譯: 我寧可（比那）更不想出門；我們就待在家裡吧。
EN:That's way less important than what you're making it out to be.
翻譯:那件事遠沒有你說的那麼重要。
停頓填充
在組織思緒或短暫停頓時，less 有時會作為填充詞的一部分出現，尤其是在比較或列舉事項的過程中。
EN: So we need eggs, milk, and... less... oh, right, less sugar this time.
翻譯: 所以我們需要雞蛋、牛奶，還有…少…哦對了，這次少買點糖。
EN:The plan is good, but... less... risky? Maybe we should adjust it.
翻譯:這個計畫不錯，但是…少一點…風險？也許我們應該調整一下。
正式書寫注意：上述口語用法，特別是作為引述開頭（He was like...）或停頓填充詞，在正式書寫、學術論文或商業報告中應避免使用。正式文體應使用更精確的動詞（如 said、stated、suggested）和完整的句子結構。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Less"?What fixed phrases with "Less" should I remember?
lessen
verb (transitive/intransitive)
減少；減輕；變少
make less
verb phrase
使減少；使降低
become less
verb phrase
變得較少；減少
less and less
adverbial phrase modifying a verb
越來越少
nothing less than
phrase used before a noun/gerund
完全是；不亞於；正是
could care less
verb phrase (idiomatic, often negative)
一點也不在乎（諷刺用法，字面意思相反）
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Less"?Which "Less" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×There are less people here today.
✓There are fewer people here today.
對於可數名詞（如 people, books, cars），應使用 "fewer" 而非 "less"。"Less" 主要用於不可數名詞（如 water, time, money）。
×She is less than 25 years old.
✓She is under 25 years old. / She is younger than 25.
雖然 "less than" 可用於數字比較（如 less than $10），但描述年齡時，習慣上使用 "under" 或 "younger than" 搭配具體歲數。"Less than" 用於年齡聽起來不自然。
×This car is less expensive.
✓This car is less expensive than that one.
使用 "less + 形容詞" 進行比較時，通常需要 "than" 來引出比較的對象，除非上下文已明確。單獨使用 "less expensive" 會讓句子意思不完整。
×I want less sugar, please.
✓I want less sugar, please. (Correct if the speaker wants a reduced amount)
此處的錯誤在於學習者可能誤解情境。"Less" 用於希望減少不可數事物的量（如糖、時間）。如果想表達「更多」，則應用 "more"。關鍵在於根據實際想表達的「多」或「少」選擇正確詞彙。
×He has a less important role.
✓He has a less important role. / He has a lesser role.
"Less" 和 "lesser" 有時可互換，但 "lesser" 常作為定語形容詞（置於名詞前），且多用於固定片語（如 the lesser of two evils）或比較重要性、程度。"Less" 的使用範圍更廣。直接將 "less" 改為 "lesser" 不一定正確，需視語境。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Less"?What are tense/participle forms of "Less"?