望遠(ぼうえん)

ぼうえん
noun
telephoto; long-range viewing
1. telephoto; long-range viewing; distant view
Viewing or photographing distant objects using lenses or optical equipment. Composed of 望 (gaze/hope) + 遠 (distant). Most commonly used in compound words related to optics and photography.
望遠(ぼうえん)レンズで鳥(とり)を撮影(さつえい)した。
I photographed birds with a telephoto lens.
望遠(ぼうえん)鏡(きょう)で月(つき)の表面(ひょうめん)を観察(かんさつ)した。
I observed the surface of the moon with a telescope.
スマホのカメラにも望遠(ぼうえん)機能(きのう)が付(つ)いている機種(きしゅ)がある。
Some smartphone models have a telephoto camera function.

USAGE:
望遠(ぼうえん) is most commonly encountered in compound words rather than used alone. The two most important compounds are 望遠(ぼうえん)レンズ (telephoto lens) and 望遠(ぼうえん)鏡(きょう) (telescope).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 望遠(ぼうえん)レンズ (telephoto lens)
  • 望遠(ぼうえん)鏡(きょう) (telescope)
  • 望遠(ぼうえん)撮影(さつえい) (telephoto photography)
  • 望遠(ぼうえん)機能(きのう) (telephoto function)

SIMILAR WORDS:
広角(こうかく) (wide-angle) is the opposite concept in photography. 遠望(えんぼう) means 'distant view' but refers to looking at a faraway landscape rather than using optical equipment.

general
Added 2026.3.7 19:12
15500/15552_bouen