Translation guide
The English term 'blind spot' can refer to a physical area you cannot see, a subject you are ignorant about, or a technical anatomical/optical point. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Express an area around a vehicle or in your field of vision that is not visible.
The most common and direct translation for 'blind spot' in driving and general physical contexts. Used for vehicle blind spots, security camera blind spots, etc.
車の死角に自転車がいた。
There was a bicycle in the car's blind spot.
このカメラには死角がある。
This camera has a blind spot.
A more casual, descriptive phrase meaning 'place you can't see'. Less technical than 死角.
見えないところに気をつけて。
Watch out for blind spots.
Describe a topic, field, or aspect that someone lacks knowledge or awareness of.
Literally 'blind point', used metaphorically for a gap in one's knowledge or awareness. Common in phrases like 盲点をつく (to exploit a blind spot).
それが彼の知識の盲点だった。
That was a blind spot in his knowledge.
盲点をつかれた。
They caught me off guard (exploited my blind spot).
A plain, direct way to say 'something one doesn't know'. Less idiomatic but easily understood.
彼には知らないことが多い。
He has many blind spots.
Refer to the optic disc or the point in the eye with no photoreceptors.
The technical term for the anatomical blind spot in the eye. Same word as the metaphorical sense, but context distinguishes them.
人間の目には盲点がある。
The human eye has a blind spot.
Medical term for optic disc. Very technical; rarely used outside specialized contexts.
視神経乳頭は盲点とも呼ばれる。
The optic disc is also called the blind spot.