浓缩

• Pinyin: nóng suō
• Hanzi breakdown: 浓 = 氵 (water) + 农 (farming) — rich liquid; 缩 = 纟 (thread) + 宿 (lodge/stay) — threads drawn together, compressing

Meaning

To concentrate; to condense; to distil into a more potent or compact form.

Used both literally (concentrating a liquid, e.g. 浓缩果汁) and figuratively (condensing experience, knowledge, or time). Suggests refining something to its essential or most powerful form. Common in science, journalism, and literary contexts.

Examples

1. 这部短篇小说以凝练的笔触浓缩了一代人的青春记忆，读来令人感慨万千。 With concise, refined prose, this short story distills an entire generation’s youth memories, leaving readers deeply moved.
2. 工厂采用先进的蒸发技术将果汁浓缩后再灌装，以降低运输成本并延长保质期。 The factory uses advanced evaporation technology to concentrate the fruit juice before bottling it, reducing transportation costs and extending shelf life.
3. 科学家将数十年的研究成果浓缩成一份简明的政策建议书，提交给相关主管部门。 The scientist condensed decades of research findings into a concise policy memo and submitted it to the relevant authorities.

Usage Guide

Context: science, food industry, writing, academia

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这本传记以简练的语言浓缩了这位科学家七十余年的学术历程，使读者得以在有限的篇幅内领略其思想的深度与广度。(This biography uses concise language to condense more than seventy years of the scientist's academic journey, allowing readers to appreciate the depth and breadth of his thought within a limited number of pages.)
• 在纪录片制作中，如何将长达数月的田野调查素材浓缩成一部引人入胜的九十分钟影片，始终是导演面临的最大挑战。(In documentary filmmaking, how to condense months of field research material into a compelling ninety-minute film remains one of the greatest challenges directors face.)

Don't Say

• 将'浓缩'用于人际关系或情感，如'把我们的感情浓缩' — 浓缩 is used for information, liquids, time, or abstract qualities; for emotions or relationships, use 深化 or 升华 instead

Origin & History

浓 (thick/concentrated) + 缩 (shrink/compress) — to make thicker by reducing volume

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal