ピント
ぴんと
noun
focus (camera)
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わせる。
To focus the camera.
写真のピントが合っていない。
The photo is out of focus.
オートフォーカスでピントが自動で合う。
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.
彼の話はピントがずれている。
His talk is missing the point.
ETYMOLOGY: From Dutch 'brandpunt' (focal point). Japan had significant contact with the Netherlands during the Edo period, when photography was introduced.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ピントを合わせる (to focus, to adjust focus)
- ピントが合う (to be in focus)
- ピントが合っていない (to be out of focus)
- ピントがずれる (to go out of focus; to miss the point)
- ピントがぼける (to become blurry)
FIGURATIVE USAGE: ピントがずれている and ピントが外れている are common expressions meaning someone is "missing the point" or being irrelevant.
RELATED TERMS:
- 焦点 - focus (more technical/formal)
- 被写界深度 - depth of field
- ボケ - blur, bokeh (also a photography term used in English)