ボケ
ぼけ
noun
blur; comedic setup; senility
1.
blur; out-of-focus area
the aesthetic quality of blur in out-of-focus areas of a photograph, now used internationally as a photography term
ボケの美しい写真が撮れた。
I took a photo with beautiful bokeh.
背景ボケを活かした撮影をする。
To shoot utilizing background blur.
このレンズはボケが綺麗だ。
This lens produces beautiful bokeh.
2.
funny man; straight man's partner
in Japanese comedy (especially manzai), the person who makes absurd statements or acts silly, contrasted with the tsukkomi
ボケとツッコミの掛け合いが面白い。
The back-and-forth between the funny man and straight man is amusing.
ボケを言う。
To make a joke/silly remark.
彼は漫才でボケ担当だ。
He plays the funny man role in manzai.
3.
senility; mental decline
age-related cognitive decline or confusion
ボケ防止のために脳トレをしている。
I'm doing brain training to prevent senility.
年をとってボケてきた。
As I got older, I've become forgetful.
祖父のボケが進んでいる。
My grandfather's dementia is progressing.
PHOTOGRAPHY (SENSE 1):
'Bokeh' has been adopted into English as a photography term. It refers to the quality of the out-of-focus areas in an image.
- 背景ボケ - background blur
- 玉ボケ - circular bokeh balls (from point light sources)
- 前ボケ - foreground blur
COMEDY (SENSE 2):
In manzai comedy, the ボケ makes absurd statements or acts foolish, while the ツッコミ (straight man) corrects or retorts.
- ボケ担当 - the funny man role
- ボケを入れる - to insert a joke
AGING (SENSE 3):
Used to describe age-related cognitive decline. Can be considered somewhat casual or even insensitive depending on context.
- ボケ防止 - prevention of senility
- 認知症 - dementia (medical term)