酝酿 yùnniàng to ferment
(of alcohol) to ferment; (of a crisis) to be brewing; to mull over (an issue); to hold exploratory discussions
How to remember 酝酿: 酝 liquor + 酿 to ferment = to ferment.
Characters
How it is used
- Literally 'to ferment', but mostly figurative 'to brew, be in the works, mull over' - 一场风暴正在酝酿 (yì chǎng fēngbào zhèngzài yùnniàng) a storm is brewing; 酝酿方案 (yùnniàng fāng'àn) work up a plan.
- Describes something developing gradually below the surface - a crisis, an idea, emotions, a decision - before it emerges.
- Also 'hold preliminary discussions/soundings' before a formal decision. Literary-flavored.