magnifying glass
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magnifying glass
An optical instrument with a convex lens that is used to show objects enlarged.
Der Uhrmacher betrachtete das winzige Zahnrad durch die Lupe.
The watchmaker looked at the tiny gear through the magnifying glass.
The preposition often helps you recognize the meaning. The expression 'etwas unter die Lupe nehmen' (to scrutinize something; literally: to take something under the magnifying glass) is always figurative. The preposition 'durch' (through), as in 'etwas durch die Lupe sehen' (to see something through the magnifying glass), usually points to the literal meaning.
Der Detektiv nahm den Brief genau unter die Lupe.
The detective scrutinized the letter closely.
When referring to the optical instrument, the preposition 'durch' (through) is usually used to express that someone is looking through the lens. 'Mit' (with) is also possible to name the tool.
Er betrachtete die Briefmarke durch die Lupe.
He looked at the stamp through the magnifying glass.
The idiom 'etwas unter die Lupe nehmen' means to examine something very closely and critically. The verb 'nehmen' (to take) is a fixed part of the expression here.
Die Stiftung Warentest hat verschiedene Kaffeemaschinen unter die Lupe genommen.
Stiftung Warentest scrutinized various coffee machines.
lentil / lens
'Lupe' and 'Linse' can both have to do with magnification and seeing. A 'Lupe' is a whole device that you can hold in your hand to see small things larger. A 'Linse' is a part made of glass or plastic that directs light; it can be in a magnifying glass, glasses, or a camera. There is also a lens in the eye. The words are easy to confuse because a magnifying glass contains a lens. In practical terms: if you mean the device, say 'Lupe'. If you mean the optical part, say 'Linse'.
Mit der Lupe konnte ich die kleine Schrift auf dem alten Brief lesen.
With the magnifying glass, I was able to read the small writing on the old letter.
Nach dem Ausflug putzt Lisa die Linse ihrer Kamera vorsichtig.
After the trip, Lisa carefully cleans the lens of her camera.