焦点(しょうてん)

しょうてん
noun
focus, focal point
1. focal point (optics)
The point at which rays of light converge after passing through a lens or reflecting from a mirror. A technical term in optics and photography.
カメラの焦点(しょうてん)を合(あ)わせる。
Adjust the camera's focus.
レンズの焦点(しょうてん)距離(きょり)が長(なが)いほど遠(とお)くのものを大(おお)きく撮(と)れる。
The longer the focal length of the lens, the larger you can photograph distant objects.
虫眼鏡(むしめがね)で太陽(たいよう)の光(ひかり)を焦点(しょうてん)に集(あつ)めると、紙(かみ)が燃(も)える。
If you focus sunlight to the focal point with a magnifying glass, the paper will burn.
2. focus, central point (of attention or discussion)
The main point of attention, discussion, or concern. The most common usage in everyday language.
議論(ぎろん)の焦点(しょうてん)がずれている。
The discussion is off focus.
選挙(せんきょ)の焦点(しょうてん)は経済(けいざい)政策(せいさく)に移(うつ)った。
The focus of the election shifted to economic policy.
裁判(さいばん)では、被告(ひこく)の動機(どうき)が焦点(しょうてん)となっている。
In the trial, the defendant's motive has become the focal point.

Usage

The figurative sense (focus of attention) is far more common in everyday language than the optical sense. The expression 焦点(しょうてん)を合(あ)わせる works for both senses — literally focusing a lens or figuratively directing attention.

Common collocations

Related Words

Compare: 中心(ちゅうしん) (center, core)
Related: ピント (focus (camera))
Compare: 争点(そうてん) (point at issue, contested point)
Compare: 重心(じゅうしん) (center of gravity)
Compare: 論点(ろんてん) (point of argument)
Compare: 合焦(ごうしょう) (focusing)
general
Added 2026.2.24 20:39 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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