(そうがんきょう)

そうがんきょう
noun
binoculars
1. binoculars
A handheld optical instrument with two lenses for viewing distant objects, used for birdwatching, sports events, concerts, and stargazing.
双眼鏡(そうがんきょう)(とり)観察(かんさつ)する。
Observe birds with binoculars.
コンサートに双眼鏡(そうがんきょう)()っていった。
I brought binoculars to the concert.
双眼鏡(そうがんきょう)(のぞ)くと、(とお)くの(やま)頂上(ちょうじょう)まで()えた。
When I looked through the binoculars, I could see all the way to the distant mountain peak.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 双眼鏡(そうがんきょう)()る (look through binoculars)
  • 双眼鏡(そうがんきょう)(のぞ)く (peer through binoculars)
  • 双眼鏡(そうがんきょう)(かま)える (raise binoculars to one's eyes)

USAGE NOTES:
The word is composed of (そう) (pair), (がん) (eye), and (きょう) (lens/mirror). For a single-lens telescope, use 望遠鏡(ぼうえんきょう). In Japan, compact 双眼鏡(そうがんきょう) are especially popular at concerts and theater performances where seats may be far from the stage. Small opera-glass-type binoculars are also called 双眼鏡(そうがんきょう).