焦点

• Reading: しょうてん
• Romaji: shouten
• Kanji breakdown: 焦 (shou/ko) — scorch, char, focus; 点 (ten) — point, dot
• Pronunciation: /ɕoː.teɴ/

Meaning

Focus; focal point. Both the optical term and the figurative centre of attention.

A noun used both in optics (focal point of a lens) and figuratively (the main point of discussion or attention). Very common in the expression 焦点を当てる (shouten wo ateru, to focus on/spotlight). Frequently appears in news, academic writing, and debate contexts.

Examples

1. 議論の焦点は予算の使い道に移った。 The focus of the debate shifted to how the budget would be used.
2. カメラの焦点が合っていなくてぼやけた写真になった。 The camera wasn't in focus, resulting in a blurry photo.
3. 今回の選挙は経済政策に焦点が当てられている。 The spotlight in this election is on economic policy.

Usage Guide

Context: news, discussion, optics, academia

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 焦 (shou, scorch/char) + 点 (ten, point/dot). Originally an optics term — the point where light converges and can 'scorch,' later extended to mean any point of concentrated attention.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal