ピント

ぴんと
noun
focus (camera)
formaltechnicalcognition
1. focus (photography)
The adjustment of a lens to produce a clear image; derived from Dutch 'brandpunt' (focal point).
カメラのピントを合(あ)わせる。
To focus the camera.
写真(しゃしん)のピントが合(あ)っていない。
The photo is out of focus.
オートフォーカスでピントが自動(じどう)で合(あ)う。
The autofocus adjusts the focus automatically.
2. point, focus (figurative)
The key point or essence of something; used figuratively to mean being on target or relevant.
彼(かれ)の話(はなし)はピントがずれている。
His talk is missing the point.
質問(しつもん)のピントが外(はず)れていて答(こた)えにくい。
The question is off the mark and hard to answer.
議論(ぎろん)のピントを合(あ)わせないと、話(はなし)が進(すす)まない。
If we don't focus the discussion, it won't move forward.

Etymology: From Dutch 'brandpunt' (focal point). Japan had significant contact with the Netherlands during the Edo period, when photography was introduced.

Common collocations

Figurative usage: ピントがずれている and ピントが外(はず)れている are common expressions meaning someone is "missing the point" or being irrelevant.

Related words

  • 焦点(しょうてん) - focus (more technical/formal)
  • 被写界深度(ひしゃかいしんど) - depth of field
  • ボケ - blur, bokeh (also a photography term used in English)

Related Words

Related: 焦点(しょうてん) (focus)
Related: ボケ (blur, bokeh)
Related: ピンボケ (out of focus)
Compare: 合焦(ごうしょう) (focusing)
general
Added 2026.1.17 20:29 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
06000/06363_pinto