JLPT · Level 8
75 words
Japanese word
コンパス
Pronunciation
Romajikonpasu
Meaning
- nouncompass
Example
円をコンパスで描きます。en o ko n pa su de ega ki ma su
I draw a circle with a compass.
More examples
先生はコンパスの使い方を説明しました。sen sei wa ko n pa su no tsuka i kata o setsu mei shi ma shi ta
The teacher explained how to use a compass.
Core concept
Two legs pivot around one point so their spacing sets the radius of a circle.
Common phrases
コンパスの使い方ko n pa su no tsuka i kata
how to use a compass
コンパスで測るko n pa su de haka ru
measure with a compass
Definition in Japanese
針と鉛筆などを先端に付けた二本の脚を開閉して、円を描く器具。hari to en pitsu na do o sen tan ni tsu ke ta ni pon no ashi o kai hei shi te en o ega ku ki gu
Word origin
The Japanese word コンパス (konpasu) comes from Dutch kompas, which names an instrument for finding direction or drawing circles.
Usage tips
- The drawing tool appears in the English phrase pair of compasses, while compass alone also commonly means an instrument for finding direction.
Other meanings
- pair of compassesnoun