焦点|しょうてんshouten[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounfocus; focal point
   顕微鏡けんびきょうの焦点しょうてんを合あわせなさい。↗

   Adjust the microscope's focus.
2. nounfocus (of attention, a discussion, etc.); point at issue; central point
3. noun, geometryfocus

• SynonymピントNeutralLoanword for the focus of a lens; the everyday word when talking about cameras (「ピントが合う」). Figuratively, whether talk is on point (「ピントがずれる」).
• SynonymフォーカスNeutralLoanword for focusing or the point of emphasis (「フォーカスを当てる」); typical of business and photography contexts.
• Synonym中心ちゅうしんNeutralMeans center (「町の中心」); stresses being in the middle of a place or thing, while 「焦点」 stresses where attention or interest converges.
• SynonymポイントNeutralLoanword for the key point or crux of a matter (「ポイントを絞る」); picks out what matters most rather than where attention converges.
• Synonym注目の的ちゅうもくのまとNeutralThe person or thing everyone is watching (「注目の的になる」); mostly refers to people, while 「焦点」 can also be an issue or topic.
• Related核かくNeutralCore, or the pit of a fruit (「チームの核」); the central member or part itself, not the point where attention or light converges.
• Related重心じゅうしんNeutralCenter of gravity or one's balance; figuratively, where the emphasis of activity lies (「重心を移す」).
• Related中核ちゅうかくWrittenWritten word for the core or backbone of an organization or thing (「中核を担う」); more at home in formal prose than in casual talk.
• Related論点ろんてんNeutralThe point at issue in a debate or discussion (「論点を整理する」); limited to argument, while 「焦点」 also covers lenses and attention.
• Related眼目がんもくWrittenWritten word for the main point or chief purpose of something; rarely used, and bookish compared with 「焦点」 or 「ポイント」.

Use 「焦点」 for an optical focus and for where attention or controversy concentrates (「焦点を当てる」). In speech, lens focusing is 「ピント」; key points are 「フォーカス」 or 「ポイント」; points of argument are 「論点」; a central location is 「中心」. 「注目の的」 is a person in the spotlight, 「核」 a core member, 「重心」 a center of gravity; 「中核」 and 「眼目」 are written words.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. レンズや鏡かがみに入射にゅうしゃした平行へいこうな光線こうせんが屈折くっせつ・反射はんしゃして集あつまる点てん。
2. 円錐えんすい曲線きょくせんを作つくる元もととなる点てん。
3. 人々ひとびとの注意ちゅういや関心かんしんが集あつまるところ。