减免
jiǎn miǎn · HSK 7
to reduce or waive
✂️ 减免 = reduce (减) + exempt/waive (免); two near-synonyms stacked for 'cut and let off'
减 jiǎn is the 'minus/subtract' character (same as in 减法, subtraction); 免 miǎn means to excuse or let off (as in 免费, free of charge). Together they cover cutting down or fully waiving a charge like tax, rent, or a penalty. Note both syllables end in -iǎn, an easy rhyme to lock the pair.
减 — water 氵 + 咸 (xián, all/salty)
A semantic-phonetic compound. The water radical 氵 gives the meaning, originally suggesting water decreasing or draining away, while 咸 supplies the sound (jiǎn shifted from xián). From 'water lessening' the sense broadened to 'reduce, subtract, diminish' in general use.
免 — pictograph of a person 人 with a hat or helmet
免 originally depicted a person wearing a hat or helmet, suggesting removal or taking off. The meaning shifted to 'avoid, exempt, escape from' — as in escaping a duty or being spared. It is graphically related to 兔 (rabbit), but the two characters have distinct origins.