集中

jízhōng: 集中 - To Concentrate, Centralize, Gather

Quick Summary

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  • Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 集中 (jízhōng), a versatile term that means to “concentrate,” “centralize,” or “gather.” This page breaks down its use from focusing your mind for study (集中注意力) to understanding the major cultural concept of centralized power in China. Discover practical examples, common mistakes, and related terms to master this key HSK 4 word.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): jízhōng
  • Part of Speech: Verb, Adjective
  • HSK Level: 4
  • Concise Definition: To concentrate, to centralize, to focus, to gather in one place.
  • In a Nutshell: 集中 (jízhōng) is all about bringing things to a single point. This can be abstract, like focusing your thoughts on a problem, or physical, like gathering people in a square or centralizing a company's operations in one city. The core idea is moving from a scattered state to a focused, collected one.

Character Breakdown

  • 集 (jí): This character means “to gather” or “to assemble.” The pictograph is of several birds (隹) on a tree (木), creating a vivid image of birds gathering together on a branch.
  • 中 (zhōng): This character means “center” or “middle.” It's a simple, ancient pictogram of a line passing through the center of a box or target.
  • Together, 集中 (jízhōng) literally means “to gather in the center.” This beautiful combination perfectly captures the essence of bringing scattered elements—be they thoughts, people, or power—to a single, central point.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • 集中 (jízhōng) is a term that resonates deeply with Chinese political and social structures. The concept of centralization (集中) has been a cornerstone of Chinese governance for over two millennia, from the first emperor Qin Shi Huang unifying the warring states to the modern centralized government. In this context, 集中 often implies strength, efficiency, unity, and the ability to accomplish large-scale projects.
  • This contrasts with many Western political ideals that champion decentralization or federalism (e.g., “states' rights” in the U.S.). While a Western perspective might view excessive centralization with suspicion, in a Chinese context, the opposite—a lack of 集中—is often associated with chaos (乱, luàn) and weakness. This value of collective unity and central guidance is a key cultural point to understand when analyzing Chinese society and business.
  • On a personal level, the ability to 集中 one's mind is highly valued in traditional arts like calligraphy (书法, shūfǎ) and practices like Tai Chi (太极, tàijí), where mental focus is essential for mastery.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • 集中 (jízhōng) is a high-frequency word used in daily life, academics, and business.
  • Mental Focus (Most Common for Learners):
    • In this context, it's about focusing your mind. It's almost always paired with an object like “attention” (注意力) or “energy” (精力).
    • Connotation: Neutral to positive. It's a necessary skill for success.
    • Formality: Neutral. Used by teachers, bosses, and in self-talk.
  • Centralization of Power/Resources:
    • This is common in business, logistics, and politics. It refers to consolidating control or assets in one place.
    • Connotation: Neutral. It's a strategy that can be good or bad depending on the situation.
    • Formality: More formal. Used in reports, meetings, and news articles.
  • Physical Gathering:
    • This refers to people or objects coming together in one location.
    • Connotation: Neutral. Purely descriptive.
    • Formality: Neutral.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 为了通过考试，我必须集中注意力学习。
    • Pinyin: Wèile tōngguò kǎoshì, wǒ bìxū jízhōng zhùyìlì xuéxí.
    • English: In order to pass the exam, I must concentrate my attention on studying.
    • Analysis: This is the most common usage for students. 集中 acts as a verb, and its object is 注意力 (attention).
  • Example 2:
    • 上课的时候请集中精神，不要玩手机。
    • Pinyin: Shàngkè de shíhou qǐng jízhōng jīngshén, búyào wán shǒujī.
    • English: Please focus your mind during class; don't play on your phone.
    • Analysis: A classic teacher's instruction. 精神 (jīngshén - spirit, mind) is used here similarly to 精力 (jīnglì - energy).
  • Example 3:
    • 公司决定把所有部门都集中在一栋大楼里。
    • Pinyin: Gōngsī juédìng bǎ suǒyǒu bùmén dōu jízhōng zài yī dòng dàlóu lǐ.
    • English: The company decided to centralize all departments in one building.
    • Analysis: This shows the “centralize/gather” meaning. The 把 (bǎ) structure is often used to show what is being concentrated.
  • Example 4:
    • 这个城市的人口非常集中。
    • Pinyin: Zhège chéngshì de rénkǒu fēicháng jízhōng.
    • English: The population of this city is very concentrated.
    • Analysis: Here, 集中 is used as an adjective, describing the state of the population (人口).
  • Example 5:
    • 领导者需要有集中处理问题的能力。
    • Pinyin: Lǐngdǎozhě xūyào yǒu jízhōng chǔlǐ wèntí de nénglì.
    • English: A leader needs the ability to deal with problems in a focused manner.
    • Analysis: Used adjectivally before another verb (处理 - to handle/deal with), it means “in a focused/concentrated way.”
  • Example 6:
    • 会议的目标是集中大家的智慧，找到一个解决方案。
    • Pinyin: Huìyì de mùbiāo shì jízhōng dàjiā de zhìhuì, zhǎodào yī gè jiějué fāng'àn.
    • English: The goal of the meeting is to pool everyone's wisdom and find a solution.
    • Analysis: This is a great example of concentrating something abstract—wisdom (智慧).
  • Example 7:
    • 我们明天早上八点在门口集中。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen míngtiān zǎoshang bā diǎn zài ménkǒu jízhōng.
    • English: We will gather at the entrance tomorrow at 8 AM.
    • Analysis: A simple, practical use for gathering people, similar to 集合 (jíhé).
  • Example 8:
    • 权力不应该过度集中在一个人手中。
    • Pinyin: Quánlì bù yīnggāi guòdù jízhōng zài yī gè rén shǒuzhōng.
    • English: Power should not be overly concentrated in the hands of one person.
    • Analysis: A political or organizational statement, using the “centralize” meaning in a cautionary way.
  • Example 9:
    • 这次培训是集中进行的，为期三天。
    • Pinyin: Zhè cì péixùn shì jízhōng jìnxíng de, wéiqī sān tiān.
    • English: This training is being conducted intensively over a period of three days.
    • Analysis: Here 集中 means “concentrated” or “intensive” in time. Instead of spreading the training out, it's all done in one block.
  • Example 10:
    • 他把精力集中在最重要的事情上。
    • Pinyin: Tā bǎ jīnglì jízhōng zài zuì zhòngyào de shìqing shàng.
    • English: He focuses his energy on the most important matters.
    • Analysis: A perfect example of prioritizing by “concentrating” one's energy (精力).

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • 集中 (jízhōng) vs. 专心 (zhuānxīn):
    • These can both mean “to focus the mind,” but they are not always interchangeable.
    • 专心 (zhuānxīn) almost exclusively refers to mental focus (“focused heart/mind”). It describes a state of being engrossed in a task. You can say 我在专心看书 (I'm focused on reading).
    • 集中 (jízhōng) is broader. It can refer to mental focus (often as `集中精力` or `集中注意力`), but it can also refer to centralizing physical objects or power. You can 集中部队 (gather troops), but you cannot *专心*部队.
    • Rule of thumb: If you can replace “focus” with “gather” or “centralize,” use 集中. If it's purely about not being distracted, 专心 is often a better fit.
  • A Very Important Warning: 集中营 (jízhōngyíng)
    • While 集中 (jízhōng) is a neutral word, the compound word 集中营 (jízhōngyíng) means “concentration camp.” It has the same heavy, negative historical connotations as its English equivalent. Be extremely careful with this word and do not use it lightly or mistake it for something like a “training camp” (which would be 训练营, xùnliànyíng) or “centralized training” (集中训练, jízhōng xùnliàn).

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 专心 (zhuānxīn) - A close synonym for mental focus; to be absorbed in a task.
  • 注意力 (zhùyìlì) - “Attention”; the most common noun that is “concentrated” using 集中.
  • 精力 (jīnglì) - “Energy” or “vigor”; another common abstract noun used with 集中.
  • 分散 (fēnsàn) - The primary antonym of 集中; means “to scatter, disperse, distract.” (e.g., 分散注意力 - to distract one's attention).
  • 集合 (jíhé) - To assemble or gather (usually people). Very similar to the physical gathering sense of 集中, but often implies a more formal assembly or roll call.
  • 中央 (zhōngyāng) - The center, central authorities (e.g., the Central Government). This is the “center” (中) in “centralization” (集中).
  • 统一 (tǒngyī) - To unify, united. A concept closely related to centralization, implying bringing different parts into one whole.
  • 聚集 (jùjí) - To congregate, to gather together. Similar to 集合, often used for crowds or informal gatherings.