Translation guide
Expressing the idea of focusing attention or effort on a specific thing, task, or area. Japanese uses various verbs and constructions depending on whether the focus is mental, physical, or involves dedicating resources.
To direct one's thoughts or awareness toward something, such as studying, listening, or observing.
The most common and versatile verb for concentrating one's mind or effort on something. Used with に to mark the target.
試験勉強に集中している。
I'm concentrating on studying for the exam.
He couldn't concentrate on his work.
To devote oneself entirely to a single task or goal, often implying exclusion of other activities. More formal than 集中する.
彼女は研究に専念している。
She is concentrating on her research.
To pay careful attention to details or to be mindful of something, often used for distributing attention across multiple points.
細かい点に気を配ってください。
Please concentrate on the details.
To limit discussion, study, or activity to a particular subject or field.
Literally 'to squeeze' or 'narrow down'. Used with に to mean concentrating efforts or resources on a specific target.
議論をその問題に絞ろう。
Let's concentrate the discussion on that issue.
調査範囲を絞る必要がある。
We need to concentrate the scope of the investigation.
To specialize or concentrate exclusively on a particular area. Often used in business or academic contexts.
当社は環境技術に特化しています。
Our company concentrates on environmental technology.
To place emphasis or priority on something. Used when concentrating efforts or resources strategically.
教育に重点を置いた政策。
Policies concentrating on education.
To gather or deploy things or people in one place or toward one purpose.
Transitive verb meaning to collect or gather. Used with に to indicate concentrating resources at a location or on a task.
資金を開発に集めている。
They are concentrating funds on development.
Causative form of 集中する, meaning to make something concentrate or to concentrate resources. Often used for troops, power, or attention.
政府は被災地に救援物資を集中させた。
The government concentrated relief supplies on the disaster area.
To rally or concentrate forces, efforts, or people for a common purpose. Often used in political or military contexts.
支持者が広場に結集した。
Supporters concentrated in the square.
集中する is the general term for concentrating one's mind or effort, and can be used in daily conversation. 専念する implies a stronger, often exclusive devotion to a single task, and is more formal. Use 専念する when you want to emphasize that you are putting aside everything else.
今は勉強に集中したい。
I want to concentrate on studying now.
彼は執筆活動に専念するため会社を辞めた。
He quit his job to concentrate on writing.
English 'concentrate on' can often be translated directly with に集中する, but in some contexts other verbs like 絞る (narrow down) or 重点を置く (place emphasis) are more natural. Using 集中する for physical gathering of objects can sound odd; use 集める or 集中させる instead.