nóngsuō kāfēi: 浓缩咖啡 - Espresso

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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 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.

• 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.

• 咖啡 (kāfēi) - The general word for “coffee.” 浓缩咖啡 is a specific type of it.
• 美式咖啡 (Měishì kāfēi) - Americano. A very popular alternative, made by diluting espresso with hot water.
• 拿铁 (nátiě) - Latte. A phonetic loanword for one of the most popular coffee drinks in China.
• 卡布奇诺 (kǎbùqínuò) - Cappuccino. Another common phonetic loanword.
• 咖啡店 (kāfēi diàn) - Coffee shop, café.
• 星巴克 (Xīngbākè) - Starbucks. The brand that arguably ignited modern coffee culture in China.
• 双份 (shuāng fèn) - Double shot / double portion. Essential for ordering.
• 苦 (kǔ) - Bitter. The primary taste associated with espresso.
• 浓 (nóng) - Concentrated, strong (flavor). The adjective that starts the term.
• 咖啡因 (kāfēiyīn) - Caffeine. The reason many people drink coffee