Translation guide
The English phrase 'boil down' has two main uses: a literal meaning of reducing a liquid by boiling, and a figurative meaning of summarizing or reducing something to its essential parts. This guide covers both.
To cook a liquid so that it reduces in volume and becomes thicker or more concentrated.
The most common and direct translation for 'boil down' in cooking contexts. It means to boil a liquid until it thickens or reduces.
To extract the most important points or reduce something complex to its core meaning.
The standard word for 'summarize'. Suitable for formal and written contexts.
Do not use 煮詰める for the figurative meaning. It only refers to cooking. For summarizing, use expressions like 要約する, つまり, or 要するに.
It all boils down to money.
Please boil down the sauce.
I boiled the soup down until it was reduced by half.
Often used for simmering or stewing, but can also imply reducing a liquid over time. Less specific to reduction than 煮詰める.
Simmer the curry slowly to boil down the liquid.
Literally 'to make the moisture fly away'. A common, natural way to describe boiling off liquid.
Boil down the liquid over high heat.
To boil down his speech, he is essentially against it.
An adverb meaning 'in short' or 'that is to say'. Used to boil down a preceding statement.
It boils down to the fact that we don't have enough money.
Similar to つまり, meaning 'in short' or 'the point is'. Slightly more formal.
It boils down to a budget problem.
Means 'after all' or 'in the end'. Used when boiling down a situation to its final outcome or essence.
It boils down to how much effort you put in.
A more literary or formal expression meaning 'when you boil it down' or 'in the final analysis'.
When you boil it down, it's a matter of love.
Boil the sauce down until it thickens.