der Fokus
focus
The center of attention or interest.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Seminar liegt der Fokus auf praktischen Übungen.
In this seminar, the focus is on practical exercises.
der Fokus
focus
der Fokus, die Fokusse
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Meanings
der Fokus
focus
In optics, the point where parallel incoming light rays meet after being refracted by a lens; the focal point.
EXAMPLE
Der Fotograf stellte den Fokus der Kamera manuell ein, um das Gesicht scharf abzubilden.
The photographer adjusted the camera's focus manually to capture the face sharply.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Fokus, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Fokusse |
| genitive | des Fokus |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Fokus | die Fokusse |
| accusative | den Fokus | die Fokusse |
| dative | dem Fokus | den Fokussen |
| genitive | des Fokus | der Fokusse |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Sentence structure and use
There are two important patterns: 'Der Fokus liegt auf' + dative describes the state. 'Den Fokus legen auf' + accusative describes the action of directing attention.
EXAMPLE
Der Fokus liegt auf der Sicherheit der Mitarbeiter.
The focus is on the safety of the employees.
Wir legen den Fokus auf die Sicherheit der Mitarbeiter.
We are putting the focus on the safety of the employees.
Register
'Fokus' (focus) is a very common word in business and educational language for naming priorities or areas of emphasis.
EXAMPLE
Der Fokus dieses Quartals liegt auf der Kundenzufriedenheit.
The focus of this quarter is on customer satisfaction.
Typical expressions
Common expressions are 'im Fokus stehen' (to be in focus / to be important and receive attention) and 'etwas in den Fokus rücken' (to bring something into focus / make something important).
EXAMPLE
Das Thema Umweltschutz steht immer mehr im Fokus der Öffentlichkeit.
The topic of environmental protection is increasingly in the focus of the public.
Context clue
The optical meaning is used almost exclusively in technical contexts such as photography or physics. Typical verbs here are 'einstellen' (to set/adjust) or 'justieren' (to adjust).
EXAMPLE
Für ein scharfes Porträt muss man den Fokus genau auf die Augen legen.
For a sharp portrait, you have to place the focus precisely on the eyes.
Compare with
Fokus vs Mittelpunkt
center
Mittelpunkt and Fokus can both refer to the center of attention. Mittelpunkt sounds especially natural in the fixed expression „im Mittelpunkt stehen“, while Fokus places more emphasis on the deliberate direction of attention or interest. In many sentences, both are possible, but Fokus often sounds more consciously chosen.
Fokus
Bei der Ausstellung liegt der Fokus auf der Geschichte der Stadt.
The exhibition focuses on the history of the city.
Mittelpunkt
Bei der Ausstellung steht die Geschichte der Stadt im Mittelpunkt.
The history of the city is at the center of the exhibition.
In real life
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