消

xiāo

HSK 7

消 — xiāo

1. to diminish; to subside (of pain, anger, storm, etc.)

   疼痛慢慢消了。 téngtòng mànmàn xiāo le — The pain gradually subsided.

2. to consume; to use up (resources, energy, time)

   这台机器消耗很多电。 zhè tái jīqì xiāohào hěnduō diàn — This machine consumes a lot of electricity.

3. to reduce; to deduct (an amount)

   税后可以消去一部分费用。 shuìhòu kěyǐ xiāoqù yībùfèn fèiyòng — After taxes you can deduct part of the expenses.

4. to idle away (time); to while away

   我们在河边消磨了一个下午。 wǒmen zài hébiān xiāomó le yígè xiàwǔ — We whiled away an afternoon by the river.

5. (after 不/只/何 etc.) to need; to require; to take (time/effort) — used in fixed constructions

   不消说明，他自会来看你。 bùxiāo shuōmíng tā zìhuì láikàn nǐ — No need to explain; he will come to see you on his own.