実像(じつぞう)

じつぞう
noun
real image; true picture; actual figure
sciencesociety
1. real image (optics)
In optics, an image formed by converging light rays that can be projected onto a screen. The opposite of a virtual image.
凸(とつ)レンズで実像(じつぞう)を作(つく)る。
A convex lens produces a real image.
実像(じつぞう)はスクリーンに映(うつ)すことができる。
A real image can be projected onto a screen.
焦点(しょうてん)距離(きょり)と物体(ぶったい)の位置(いち)によって、実像(じつぞう)の大(おお)きさと向(む)きが変(か)わる。
The size and orientation of the real image change depending on the focal length and the position of the object.
2. true picture; actual figure; real portrait
The true, unembellished reality of a person, organization, or situation — as opposed to an idealized or media-constructed image.
歴史上(れきしじょう)の人物(じんぶつ)の実像(じつぞう)に迫(せま)る。
To get to the true picture of a historical figure.
報道(ほうどう)だけでは企業(きぎょう)の実像(じつぞう)はわからない。
You cannot understand a company's true nature from media reports alone.
この伝記(でんき)は伝説(でんせつ)を排(はい)し、偉人(いじん)の実像(じつぞう)を丁寧(ていねい)に描(えが)き出(だ)している。
This biography sets aside legend and carefully depicts the great figure's true character.

Composed of 実(じつ) (real, actual) and 像(ぞう) (image, figure). The two senses correspond to the literal (optics) and figurative (true nature) meanings of "real image."

The optics sense (sense 1) is standard physics vocabulary taught in middle school. The figurative sense (sense 2) is common in journalism, biography, and cultural criticism — typically paired with verbs like 迫(せま)る (to approach), 描(えが)く (to depict), or 明(あき)らかにする (to reveal).

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 虚像(きょぞう): virtual image — the opposite in both optics and figurative use
  • 実態(じったい): actual state; true condition — similar figurative meaning but more concrete and data-oriented
  • 素顔(すがお): true face; unmasked self — more personal, about an individual's genuine character

Related Words

Antonym: 虚像(きょぞう) (virtual image)
Compare: 実態(じったい) (actual state)
Compare: 素顔(すがお) (true face)
general
Added 2026.5.1 1:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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