to concentrate
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to concentrate on
To direct all of one's attention and mental effort toward a single thing, person, or activity.
Bei dem Lärm kann ich mich kaum auf meine Hausaufgaben konzentrieren.
With that noise, I can hardly concentrate on my homework.
to concentrate
To gather or bring something together in one central place. This can refer to people, power, or resources.
Der Diktator versuchte, alle Macht in seinen Händen zu konzentrieren.
The dictator tried to concentrate all power in his own hands.
to concentrate
To increase the proportion of a substance in a solution, usually by removing the solvent (e.g., water).
Um Tomatenmark herzustellen, muss man den Tomatensaft stark konzentrieren.
To make tomato paste, you have to concentrate the tomato juice heavily.
The word can be derived from Latin: the prefix 'kon-' (con-) means 'together', and the word 'Zentrum' (center) is contained in it. So 'konzentrieren' (to concentrate) literally means to gather something in the middle.
Die Bevölkerung konzentriert sich hauptsächlich in den großen Städten.
The population is concentrated mainly in the large cities.
The reflexive form 'sich konzentrieren auf' (to concentrate on) means to focus one's attention. The non-reflexive form 'etwas konzentrieren' (to concentrate something) means to gather something in one place or to thicken a liquid.
Bitte sei leise, ich muss mich auf die Prüfung konzentrieren.
Please be quiet, I need to concentrate on the exam.
In its most common meaning, the verb is used reflexively and with the fixed preposition 'auf' plus the accusative: 'sich auf etwas konzentrieren' (to concentrate on something).
Konzentrier dich auf den Verkehr, wenn du fährst!
Concentrate on the traffic when you're driving!
In the meaning of 'sammeln' (to gather), 'konzentrieren' (to concentrate) is often used with objects such as 'Macht' (power), 'Kapital' (capital), 'Truppen' (troops), or 'Produktion' (production).
Die Armee konzentrierte ihre Truppen an der Grenze.
The army concentrated its troops at the border.
to specialize
Both words can express a focus on a particular field. Sich konzentrieren usually refers to current attention and mental effort, while sich spezialisieren refers to a long-term professional focus involving specialized knowledge. „Sich konzentrieren“ is more appropriate for a task at hand, while „sich spezialisieren“ is more appropriate for professional or academic development.
Für die Prüfung konzentriert sich Lara heute ganz auf Mathematik.
Today, Lara is concentrating entirely on mathematics for the exam.
Nach dem Studium spezialisierte sich Lara auf Mathematik.
After graduating, Lara specialized in mathematics.
