Usage of 扣除
The verb 扣除 (kòuchú) primarily means to deduct or subtract an amount, often money or quantity, from a total. It is commonly used in financial contexts such as salaries, taxes, discounts, or penalties.
Common Contexts
- Salary deductions: 扣除税款 (deduct taxes), 扣除社保 (deduct social insurance).
- Price adjustments: 扣除优惠券 (deduct coupons), 扣除折扣 (deduct discounts).
- Penalties or fines: 扣除罚款 (deduct fines).
Collocations
- 扣除税款: deduct taxes, used in payroll or accounting.
- 扣除费用: deduct expenses, common in business or reimbursement.
- 扣除金额: deducted amount, general financial term.
Nuances
When using 扣除, the focus is on the action of subtracting a specific amount from a larger total. It is more formal and precise than general verbs like 减少 (reduce). It often appears in official or written contexts such as contracts, pay slips, or invoices.
Avoid confusing 扣除 with 扣押 (to detain or seize), which shares the character 扣 but has a different meaning.
Summary
Use 扣除 when you want to clearly express the deduction of money, fees, or quantities from a total, especially in financial or administrative contexts.