Japanese word

こごる

Pronunciation

Romajikogoru

Meaning

  • verbcongeal

Example

スープがこごります。sū pu ga ko go ri ma su

The soup congeals.

Illustration for こごる (congeal)

More examples

煮魚の煮汁が冷えてこごりました。ni zakana no ni jiru ga hi e te ko go ri ma shi ta

The broth from the simmered fish cooled and congealed.

Core concept

Describes a liquid becoming firm or solid as it cools, usually by setting rather than by forming ice.

Common phrases

  • 脂がこごるabura ga ko go ru

    fat congeals

  • 煮汁がこごるni jiru ga ko go ru

    broth congeals

Similar words

凝固するgyōkosuru: To become firm or solid as a liquid cools, especially in food.
固まるkatamaru: To become firm from a liquid or soft state.
凍るkōru: To become solid through the formation of ice.

Definition in Japanese

液体などが冷えて固まる。eki tai na do ga hi e te kata ma ru

Word origin

こごる (kogoru) is a native Japanese verb written 凝る (kogoru); 凝 (gyō, "become thick or solid") reflects the change from fluidity to a set state.

Usage tips

  • In cooking and food writing, congeal often describes soup, broth, or melted fat becoming set as it cools, while freeze usually involves ice formation.

Other meanings

  • freezeverb

Opposites

  • とけるtokerumeltverb

Related words

  • こごりkogoriaspicnoun

Word lists with this word