Definition
酝酿 (yùn niàng) describes a gradual, preparatory process that leads to a result — whether wine fermenting, a storm brewing, or ideas being deliberated. It differs from 发酵 (fā jiào 'biochemical ferment') and 琢磨 (zuó mo 'ponder') in that it emphasizes the stage of slow development before something emerges, not just the process itself or the act of thinking.
verb
to ferment (of alcohol or chemicals)to be brewingto be in the making (of a crisis, storm, change)to deliberateto mull over (an issue)to hold preparatory discussions
Examples
- 酝酿。Zhè zhǒng pútáojiǔ xūyào yùn niàng liù gè yuè.This wine needs to ferment for six months.
- 酝酿。Yī chǎng shèhuì biàngé zhèngzài yùn niàng zhī zhōng.A social change is brewing.
- 酝酿。Huìyì qián wǒmen xiān yùn niàng yíxià fāng'àn.Let's mull over the plan a bit before the meeting.
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