Translation guide
The act or degree of making something appear larger, or the state of being magnified.
Expressing the process or degree of making something appear larger using lenses or instruments.
The most common word for magnification as a ratio or power (e.g., 10x magnification). Used for microscopes, telescopes, cameras, etc.
The magnification of this microscope is 100x.
If you increase the magnification, the image becomes grainy.
Refers to the act of enlarging or magnifying, often used as a noun or in compound verbs like 拡大する. More general than 倍率, can also mean expansion or enlargement in non-optical contexts.
Magnify the image to check the details.
You can magnify with this button.
Specifically the magnification ratio, similar to 倍率 but more technical. Often used in digital imaging or displays.
Please set the magnification to 200%.
Expressing the act of exaggerating or amplifying the importance, scale, or effect of something.
Exaggeration, overstatement. Used when someone makes something seem larger, more important, or more serious than it is.
His stories always involve some magnification of the truth.
To say something in an exaggerated way; to magnify verbally. Common in casual speech.
倍率 is the standard term for optical magnification (e.g., 10x). 拡大率 is more common in digital contexts (e.g., zoom level on a screen). In many cases they are interchangeable, but 倍率 is more natural for traditional optics.
microscope magnification
screen magnification
While 拡大 can mean 'magnify' in the sense of enlarging an image, it is not used for exaggerating stories or importance. Use 誇張 or 大げさに言う for that meaning.
Some media outlets magnify the damage.
Stretching the interpretation, magnifying the meaning of something beyond its original intent. Often used in legal or argumentative contexts.
That statement has been magnified beyond its original meaning.
He always magnifies things, so I take what he says with a grain of salt.