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凝固 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
凝固nínggùto freezeHSK 7, v, rank #14369, Hard
凝固nínggùto solidifyHSK 7, v, rank #14369, Hard
凝固nínggùto congealHSK 7, v, rank #14369, Hard
凝固nínggùfig. with rapt attentionHSK 7, v, rank #14369, Hard
nínggù(ning2gu4) T2
  1. 1to freeze
  2. 2to solidify
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March 24, 2026
凝固nínggù(ning2gu4)

凝固 (nínggù) means to freeze or solidify, commonly used in both physical and metaphorical contexts. In a physical sense, it describes the process of a liquid becoming solid, while figuratively, it can refer to someone being absorbed or captivated by something, indicating intense focus or rapt attention.

Frequency#14369DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, 凝固 often refers to the process of soups or broths solidifying into jelly-like forms, which is a common technique in traditional dishes like meat jellies. This reflects the significance of texture in Chinese culinary culture.

Memory Tip

Think of '凝' as a 'knee' that bends and then '固' like a strong 'goo' that hardens. Imagine a knee getting frozen in place, unable to move, representing both the physical freezing and the metaphorical fixation on something.

Meanings of 凝固

nínggù(ning2gu4)
1to freeze
2to solidify
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 凝固

凝固Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#14369Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 凝固

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Podcast: 凝固

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AI Study Notes for 凝固

Quick Contrast

凝结 (níngjié) - use 凝固 for solidification processes, while 凝结 often refers to condensation or the coming together of particles.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of '凝' as a 'knee' that bends and then '固' like a strong 'goo' that hardens. Imagine a knee getting frozen in place, unable to move, representing both the physical freezing and the metaphorical fixation on something.

Usage Notes

When using 凝固, ensure you are clear about whether you refer to a physical process or a figurative state of attention. Common collocations include 凝固的水 (frozen water) and 凝固的思想 (congealed thoughts). Be mindful of the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 凝固 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to states of matter and emotional expressions. Focus on the usage of the word in both scientific contexts and in describing mental states to enhance fluency.

Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, 凝固 often refers to the process of soups or broths solidifying into jelly-like forms, which is a common technique in traditional dishes like meat jellies. This reflects the significance of texture in Chinese culinary culture.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 凝固 with other similar words like 冷却 (lěngquè, to cool down) or 固化 (gùhuà, to harden). For instance, saying '水冷却成冰' is incorrect; you should say '水凝固成冰' (water freezes into ice).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 凝固

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Component Characters

凝níngto congeal
16 strokes冫
View full entry
固gùhard
8 strokes囗
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Write 凝固

凝
固

Practice writing 凝固 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 凝固

凝固 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

将煎蛋饼放在烤架下用文火烘烤，直到表面____。

Place the omelette under a gentle grill until the top is set.

Example Sentences for 凝固 (8)

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1
将煎蛋饼放在烤架下用文火烘烤，直到表面凝固。

jiāng jiān dàn bǐng fàng zài kǎo jià xià yòng wén huǒ hōng kǎo， ， zhí dào biǎo miàn níng。

Place the omelette under a gentle grill until the top is set.
2
关小火让煎蛋的下面凝固。

guān xiǎo huǒ ràng jiān dàn de xià miàn níng gù。

Lower the heat and allow the omelet to set on the bottom.
3
雪堆积日久而凝固如冰.

xuě duī jī rì jiǔ ér níng gù rú bīng.

The old snow has compacted into the hardness of ice.
4
弗兰克林·罗斯福那张富有动作的脸突然凝固不动,条条皱纹就象刻在石雕上一样.

fú lán kè lín· · luó sī fú nà zhāng fù yǒu dòng zuò de liǎn tū rán níng gù bù, dòng , tiáo tiáo zhòu wén jiù xiàng kè zài shí diāo shàng.

Franklin Roosevelt's mobile face settled into lines that looked carved on stone.
5
你割破了, 血会凝固、结痂.

nǐ gē pò le, , xiě huì níng、 gù 、.

When you cut yourself , blood clots and forms a scab.
6
这种混合物凝固后就成了太妃糖。

zhè zhǒng hùn hé wù níng gù hòu jiù chéng le tài fēi táng。

The mixture will solidify into toffee.
7
乳酸细菌产生的酸足以使乳蛋白质凝固.

rǔ suān xì jūn chǎn shēng de suān zú yǐ shǐ rǔ dàn bái zhì níng gù.

Acid production of lactic acid bacteria is sufficient to coagulate milk proteins.
8
这团凝固的污物堵塞了过滤器。

zhè tuán níng gù de wū wù dǔ sāi le guò lǜ qì。

This congealed muck was interfering with the filter.

Cultural Notes for 凝固

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese cuisine, 凝固 often refers to the process of soups or broths solidifying into jelly-like forms, which is a common technique in traditional dishes like meat jellies. This reflects the significance of texture in Chinese culinary culture.

Frequently Asked Questions about 凝固

No, it can also be used metaphorically to describe emotional states or attention.