Adjective
/fókal/ or /ˈfo.kal/
In Spanish, "focal" primarily refers to something that relates to a focus or a central point. It is often used in medical contexts to describe a specific area of concern or activity, such as in imaging (e.g., a focal lesion) or in physics to denote the point where rays converge. It is moderately frequent in both spoken and written contexts, with a tendency to appear more in specialized language, especially in science and medicine.
The X-ray showed a focal lesion in the lung.
En óptica, el punto focal es esencial para la formación de imágenes.
In optics, the focal point is essential for image formation.
Los problemas focales en la investigación requieren atención inmediata.
"Focal" is not commonly embedded within idiomatic expressions. However, it is often used in technical phrases that convey its meaning of focus or centrality. Below are examples related to its usage in specific contexts:
In medicine, the focal area is where symptoms concentrate.
Los estudios focales ayudan a entender problemas específicos en la teoría.
Focal studies help to understand specific problems in theory.
La investigación se centra en un punto focal de la controversia.
The term "focal" comes from the Latin word "focus," which means "hearth" or "fireplace," metaphorically referring to a point of concentration or origin. The suffix "-al" is a common ending in Spanish adjectives, indicating a relationship or pertaining to.
Synonyms: - Central - Concentrado - Específico
Antonyms: - Difuso (diffused) - Periférico (peripheral) - General (general)
"Focal" retains a specialized meaning that is context-dependent, particularly in the domains of medicine, mathematics, and physics.