concentrate
Definitions
To give all your attention or effort to one thing.
集中（注意力），专心于
To bring or come together in one place; to gather in large numbers or amounts.
（使）集中，聚集于一处
To make a substance stronger or denser by removing liquid.
使浓缩，使变浓
A substance from which water or other parts have been removed to make it stronger.
浓缩物，浓缩液（如 orange juice concentrate）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcon- (together) + centr (center) + -ate (verb) = bring together toward one center. The single image of gathering to a point explains all its senses: pull your focus to one task (concentrate on work), gather people or things in one spot (troops concentrated at the border), and pack a substance's essence into less volume by removing water (concentrate the juice).
Root centr still carries 9 more wordsWhy It Means This
All the meanings come from one move: gathering toward a center. When you concentrate, you stop letting your attention scatter and pull it to a single point. When wealth or troops concentrate, they cluster in one place instead of spreading out. When you concentrate juice, you drive off the water so the flavor is packed tight at the core. Same gesture, different things being pulled in.
Common Collocations
- 1.concentrate on专注于
- 2.concentrate your efforts集中精力
- 3.hard to concentrate难以集中注意力
- 4.concentrate your attention集中注意力
Example Sentences
- 1.
It's hard to concentrate with the TV on so loud.
- 2.
Most of the country's wealth is concentrated in the capital.
- 3.
Boil the sauce to concentrate the flavor.
- 4.
Mix one part concentrate with three parts water.
Easily Confused
concentrate vs focus — Both mean directing attention to one thing. Focus is about aiming at a target (focus on the goal) and can be momentary; concentrate stresses sustained mental effort against distraction (concentrate for an hour). You focus a camera; you don't 'concentrate' one.