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.
彼の話を要約すると、要するに反対だということだ。
To boil down his speech, he is essentially against it.
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.
結局はお金の問題だ。
It all boils down to money.
ソースがとろりとするまで煮詰めてください。
Boil the sauce down until it thickens.
Please boil down the sauce.
スープを半分になるまで煮詰めた。
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.
カレーをじっくり煮込んで水分を飛ばす。
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.
強火で水分を飛ばしてください。
Boil down the liquid over high heat.
An adverb meaning 'in short' or 'that is to say'. Used to boil down a preceding statement.
つまり、お金が足りないということです。
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.
要するに、問題は予算だ。
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.
結局、努力次第だ。
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'.
煎じ詰めると、それは愛の問題だ。
When you boil it down, it's a matter of love.