ズーム
zūmu
The Japanese word for zoom is ズーム (zūmu).
The loanword ズーム is used in both formal and informal contexts for zooming in and out with software or camera features. For the specific action of zooming in, you can use ズームイン and for zooming out, use ズームアウト. You can also use the term 拡大レンズ to refer to a zoom lens used in cameras or optical devices.
Meaning: to manipulate a display so as to magnify or shrink it (verb)
Which one should you use?
While ズーム is a common loanword, the term 拡大 (meaning magnification or enlargement) is used in formal settings. To say the specific action of zooming in or out as a verb, you can use ズームイン or ズームアウト.
How does it change in a sentence?
Similarly, you can use ズームアウトする to mean to zoom out. The verb form of the formal noun 拡大 is 拡大する, meaning to magnify or to enlarge. In conversational Japanese, you can add よ to the end of 拡大する to make it 拡大するよ, which is a more conversational and friendly way to say to zoom in.
How do you pronounce it?
zūmu
Did you know?
- The formal term for zooming, 拡大 (kakudai), is highly versatile and can also be used to describe the physical expansion of a city or the growth of a business.
- If you want to describe a telephoto effect or the quality of a long-distance lens, Japanese speakers shift from the concept of 'zooming' to using the word 望遠 (bōen), which literally means 'distant view'.
- To refer to the specific magnification power or ratio of a zoom lens, Japanese speakers use the term 倍率 (bairitsu) rather than ズーム.
Examples in context
- これがズームのボタンだよ。This is the zoom button.This sentence identifies a zoom button using the form ズーム.Tatoeba #10690109 by small_snow, translation #2337284 by Hybrid
- カメラで遠くの景色を ズーム インしたI zoomed in on the distant scenery using the camera.
- スマートフォンで 拡大 して文字を読むI magnified the screen on my smartphone to read the text.
- 会議中に画面を 拡大 してくれる？Can you enlarge the screen during the meeting?
- もう少し ズームアウト してくださいPlease zoom out a bit more.
- 映像を 拡大して みてくださいPlease try to zoom in on the image.
- もっとズームしてください。motto zuumu shite kudasai.Please zoom in more.
- 地図をズームするのを忘れた。chizu o zuumu suru no o wasureta.I forgot to zoom in on the map.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are looking at a photo on a smartphone.
- 美咲 Misakiこの写真、もっとズームできる？kono shashin, motto zuumu dekiru?Can you zoom in more on this photo?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、やってみるね。un, yatte miru ne.Yeah, let me try.
- 美咲 Misakiわあ、すごく綺麗に見える！waa, sugoku kirei ni mieru!Wow, it looks so clear!
- 陽太 Yotaズームしすぎると画質が落ちるよ。zuumu shisugiru to gashitsu ga ochiru yo.If you zoom in too much, the image quality drops.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
