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.
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.
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.