集中

• Pinyin: jí zhōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 集 = 隹 (bird) + 木 (tree), originally depicting birds gathering on a tree; 中 = a line through the centre, meaning middle

Meaning

To concentrate; to focus; centralised. Describes gathering things or attention together in one place or direction.

As a verb, means 'to concentrate' or 'to gather together.' As an adjective, describes something that is centralised or focused. Often used to describe focusing attention, gathering people, or centralising resources. Very common in educational and workplace contexts.

Examples

1. 上课的时候要集中注意力。 You need to concentrate during class.
2. 大家请集中到操场上开会。 Everyone please gather at the playground for the meeting.
3. 她能集中精力学习好几个小时。 She can focus on studying for several hours.

Usage Guide

Context: education, work, meetings

Tone: instructive

Do Say

• 请大家集中精力听讲。(Please concentrate and listen to the lecture.)
• 这个地区集中了很多工厂。(This area has many factories concentrated together.)

Don't Say

• 我今天很集中。(Don't use 集中 alone as a personal state — say 我今天注意力很集中 or 我今天很专注; 集中 needs an object like 注意力 or 精力)

Origin & History

集 (to gather) + 中 (middle, centre). Together meaning 'to gather toward the centre' or 'to concentrate.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal