to minimize
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to minimize
To reduce or decrease something to the smallest possible amount. This can refer to costs, risks, effort, or other measurable quantities.
Wir müssen die Risiken minimieren, bevor wir das Projekt starten.
We need to minimize the risks before we start the project.
'Minimieren' (to minimize) belongs to the word family of 'Minimum' (minimum) and 'minimal' (minimal). It literally means to bring something down to a minimum or to make it minimal. The ending '-ieren' is typical of verbs borrowed from foreign languages.
Bitte minimiere den Lärm, ich muss mich konzentrieren.
Please minimize the noise; I need to concentrate.
The verb 'minimieren' (to minimize) always requires an accusative object. You ask: Whom or what do you minimize? The answer is in the accusative.
Die Firma versucht, ihre Ausgaben zu minimieren.
The company is trying to minimize its expenses.
In its main meaning, 'minimieren' (to minimize) is often used with abstract nouns. Typical combinations are 'Kosten minimieren' (to minimize costs), 'Risiken minimieren' (to minimize risks), 'den Aufwand minimieren' (to minimize the effort), or 'Verluste minimieren' (to minimize losses).
Durch bessere Planung konnten wir den Zeitaufwand minimieren.
Through better planning, we were able to minimize the amount of time required.
You can recognize the computer-related meaning from the context. If a 'Fenster' (window), a 'Programm' (program), or an 'Anwendung' (application) is being discussed, 'minimieren' (to minimize) means to shrink it on the screen.
Ich habe das Video nur minimiert, nicht geschlossen.
I only minimized the video; I didn't close it.
to increase
'erhöhen' and 'minimieren' show opposite directions. With 'erhöhen', you make something larger, stronger, or more, for example costs, chances, or an amount. With 'minimieren', you try to make something as small as possible, for example a risk, an error, or the effort required. 'minimieren' often sounds a bit more targeted than simply 'verringern' (to reduce), because you want to reach the smallest possible amount.
Du minimierst das Risiko, wenn du die Daten regelmäßig speicherst.
You minimize the risk if you save the data regularly.
Am Wochenende erhöhen viele Geschäfte die Preise für besondere Angebote nicht.
On weekends, many shops do not increase the prices for special offers.