====== nóngsuō kāfēi: 浓缩咖啡 - Espresso ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** nongsuo kafei, 浓缩咖啡, espresso in Chinese, how to order espresso in China, Chinese coffee, coffee in China, strong coffee Chinese, 咖啡, 浓缩
  * **Summary:** Learn how to say and order an espresso in Chinese with the term **浓缩咖啡 (nóngsuō kāfēi)**. This page provides a complete guide to understanding this word, from a breakdown of its characters 浓 (concentrated) and 缩 (shrunk) to its practical use in modern China's booming coffee culture. Discover example sentences, cultural context, and related terms to confidently navigate any coffee shop in China.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** nóngsuō kāfēi
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** N/A (composed of HSK 3-5 characters)
  * **Concise Definition:** Espresso; a concentrated coffee beverage.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **浓缩咖啡 (nóngsuō kāfēi)** is the direct and standard Chinese term for espresso. It is a literal translation, combining the words for "concentrate/shrink" (浓缩) and "coffee" (咖啡). It perfectly describes the small, potent shot of coffee that forms the base for many other popular drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **浓 (nóng):** This character means "concentrated," "dense," or "strong" (in flavor). The water radical (氵) on the left indicates a connection to liquids. Think of it as a liquid that is packed with flavor.
  * **缩 (suō):** This character means "to shrink," "to contract," or "to reduce." It implies making something smaller in volume.
  * **咖 (kā):** A phonetic character borrowed to represent the "co-" sound in "coffee." It has no independent meaning in this context.
  * **啡 (fēi):** A phonetic character borrowed to represent the "-ffee" sound in "coffee." It also has no independent meaning here.
When combined, **浓缩 (nóngsuō)** means "concentrated" or "reduced," and **咖啡 (kāfēi)** means "coffee." Together, **浓缩咖啡 (nóngsuō kāfēi)** literally translates to "concentrated/shrunk coffee," an accurate and descriptive name for espresso.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
Coffee culture is a relatively recent but explosive trend in urban China. While tea has dominated for centuries, brands like Starbucks (星巴克 - Xīngbākè) and the local powerhouse Luckin Coffee (瑞幸咖啡 - Ruìxìng Kāfēi) have made cafes a central part of modern social and professional life.
Unlike in Italy, where drinking a quick espresso shot at a bar is a daily ritual, the **浓缩咖啡 (nóngsuō kāfēi)** itself is less commonly consumed on its own in China. The general preference leans towards milkier, sweeter, and larger drinks like lattes (拿铁 - nátiě) and Americanos (美式咖啡 - Měishì kāfēi).
For many Chinese consumers, drinking a straight espresso is seen as a more "hardcore," "professional," or Western habit. It signifies a focus on the pure taste of the coffee bean rather than the social experience of lingering over a large beverage. Therefore, while every café will know exactly what a **浓缩咖啡** is, you'll see far fewer people ordering it compared to other menu items. It's primarily viewed as the essential ingredient //(the base)// for other popular drinks.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
The term **浓缩咖啡 (nóngsuō kāfēi)** is used almost exclusively in the context of coffee shops and discussing coffee. Its meaning is stable and doesn't change between formal and informal situations.
  * **At a Café:** This is the most common scenario. You use it to order a shot of espresso. You can specify a single or double shot.
  * **On Menus:** You will see **浓缩咖啡** listed on the menu, often as the first or most basic option in the coffee section.
  * **In Conversation:** Coffee enthusiasts might use it to discuss the quality of a café's beans or the skill of the barista, as a well-pulled shot of espresso is the foundation of good coffee.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:** 
    * 你好，我要一杯**浓缩咖啡**，谢谢。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào yībēi **nóngsuō kāfēi**, xièxiè.
    * English: Hello, I'd like one espresso, thank you.
    * Analysis: This is the most standard and direct way to order an espresso in a coffee shop.
  * **Example 2:** 
    * 麻烦给我来一杯双份**浓缩咖啡**。
    * Pinyin: Máfan gěi wǒ lái yībēi shuāng fèn **nóngsuō kāfēi**.
    * English: Please give me a double espresso.
    * Analysis: The term 双份 (shuāng fèn) means "double portion" or "double shot." This is key vocabulary for ordering coffee.
  * **Example 3:** 
    * 拿铁就是用**浓缩咖啡**加上热牛奶做成的。
    * Pinyin: Nátiě jiùshì yòng **nóngsuō kāfēi** jiā shàng rè niúnǎi zuò chéng de.
    * English: A latte is made using espresso plus hot milk.
    * Analysis: This sentence explains the role of espresso as a base ingredient, a common way the term is used in explanations.
  * **Example 4:** 
    * 我早上必须喝一杯**浓缩咖啡**才能醒过来。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ zǎoshang bìxū hē yībēi **nóngsuō kāfēi** cáinéng xǐng guòlái.
    * English: I have to drink an espresso in the morning to be able to wake up.
    * Analysis: This sentence expresses a personal habit and highlights the perceived effect of espresso.
  * **Example 5:** 
    * 这家咖啡店的**浓缩咖啡**油脂很丰富。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā kāfēi diàn de **nóngsuō kāfēi** yóuzhī hěn fēngfù.
    * English: The espresso at this coffee shop has a very rich crema.
    * Analysis: A more advanced sentence for coffee lovers. 油脂 (yóuzhī) literally means "grease" or "fat," but in the context of coffee, it's the correct term for "crema."
  * **Example 6:** 
    * 对我来说，单喝**浓缩咖啡**有点太苦了。
    * Pinyin: Duì wǒ lái shuō, dān hē **nóngsuō kāfēi** yǒudiǎn tài kǔ le.
    * English: For me, drinking espresso by itself is a bit too bitter.
    * Analysis: A common opinion you might hear in China. 苦 (kǔ) means "bitter."
  * **Example 7:** 
    * 你想在你的冰淇淋上加一份**浓缩咖啡**吗？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ xiǎng zài nǐ de bīngqílín shàng jiā yī fèn **nóngsuō kāfēi** ma?
    * English: Would you like to add a shot of espresso to your ice cream? (Making an affogato)
    * Analysis: Shows the versatility of the term. 一份 (yī fèn) is a common measure word for a "serving" or "shot."
  * **Example 8:** 
    * 制作一杯完美的**浓缩咖啡**需要很好的技术。
    * Pinyin: Zhìzuò yībēi wánměi de **nóngsuō kāfēi** xūyào hěn hǎo de jìshù.
    * English: Making a perfect espresso requires very good technique.
    * Analysis: This sentence discusses the craft of coffee making.
  * **Example 9:** 
    * 这台**浓缩咖啡**机是意大利进口的。
    * Pinyin: Zhè tái **nóngsuō kāfēi** jī shì Yìdàlì jìnkǒu de.
    * English: This espresso machine was imported from Italy.
    * Analysis: Here, 浓缩咖啡 is part of a compound noun, 浓缩咖啡机 (nóngsuō kāfēi jī), meaning "espresso machine."
  * **Example 10:** 
    * 我点的不是美式，是**浓缩咖啡**。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ diǎn de bùshì Měishì, shì **nóngsuō kāfēi**.
    * English: What I ordered wasn't an Americano, it was an espresso.
    * Analysis: A useful sentence for correcting a mistaken order, contrasting espresso with another common coffee type.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Don't confuse with 浓咖啡 (nóng kāfēi):** The biggest pitfall is dropping the character **缩 (suō)**.
    * **浓缩咖啡 (nóngsuō kāfēi)** specifically means //espresso//, referring to the brewing method.
    * **浓咖啡 (nóng kāfēi)** means //strong coffee// in a general sense. If you order this, a barista might give you a drip coffee with more grounds or a less-diluted Americano. It does not mean espresso.
  * **Incorrect Usage:**
    * `我要一杯浓咖啡。` (Wǒ yào yībēi nóng kāfēi.)
    * **Why it's wrong:** While the barista might guess what you mean, this technically asks for "a cup of strong coffee," not "a cup of espresso." To be clear and correct, you must say **浓缩咖啡**.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[kafei|咖啡]] (kāfēi) - The general word for "coffee." **浓缩咖啡** is a specific type of it.
  * [[meishi kafei|美式咖啡]] (Měishì kāfēi) - Americano. A very popular alternative, made by diluting espresso with hot water.
  * [[natie|拿铁]] (nátiě) - Latte. A phonetic loanword for one of the most popular coffee drinks in China.
  * [[kabuqinuo|卡布奇诺]] (kǎbùqínuò) - Cappuccino. Another common phonetic loanword.
  * [[kafei dian|咖啡店]] (kāfēi diàn) - Coffee shop, café.
  * [[xingbake|星巴克]] (Xīngbākè) - Starbucks. The brand that arguably ignited modern coffee culture in China.
  * [[shuāng fèn|双份]] (shuāng fèn) - Double shot / double portion. Essential for ordering.
  * [[ku|苦]] (kǔ) - Bitter. The primary taste associated with espresso.
  * [[nong|浓]] (nóng) - Concentrated, strong (flavor). The adjective that starts the term.
  * [[kafeiyin|咖啡因]] (kāfēiyīn) - Caffeine. The reason many people drink coffee