镜头

• Pinyin: jìng tóu
• Hanzi breakdown: 镜 = 钅 (metal radical) + 竟 (finish, phonetic) — mirror + 头 = simplified from 頭, meaning head or end

Meaning

Camera lens; shot (in film/photography). Refers to the optical lens of a camera or a scene captured on film.

Has two main uses: (1) the physical lens of a camera or other optical device, and (2) a shot or scene in a movie, video, or photograph. In film discussion, 镜头 is the standard word for a camera shot or take. Also used figuratively to mean being in the public eye or on camera.

Examples

1. 这部电影里有很多美丽的镜头。 There are many beautiful shots in this film.
2. 摄影师换了一个更大的镜头。 The photographer switched to a larger lens.
3. 她一面对镜头就会紧张。 She gets nervous as soon as she faces the camera.

Usage Guide

Context: photography, film, media

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 导演对这个镜头非常满意。(The director was very satisfied with this shot.)
• 你的镜头上有灰尘，需要擦一下。(There's dust on your lens; you need to wipe it.)

Don't Say

• 我的眼睛的镜头 (镜头 is for cameras, not eyes — say 我的眼镜镜片 for eyeglass lenses or 晶状体 for the eye's natural lens)

Origin & History

Composed of 镜 (mirror) and 头 (head, end), literally 'mirror-head' — the front end of an optical device, extended to mean the view captured through it.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal