Translation guide
The condition of being nearsighted, where distant objects appear blurry. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the medical term 近視 (kinshi), but there are also colloquial and figurative expressions.
Describing the eye condition where close objects are clear but distant ones are blurry.
Using 'myopia' metaphorically to mean short-sightedness in thinking or planning.
Both mean nearsightedness. 近視 is the standard medical term and more common in formal writing. 近眼 is slightly more colloquial and often used in everyday speech. In most contexts, they are interchangeable.
While 近視 is the direct translation, using it figuratively requires the adjectival form 近視眼的. Simply saying 近視 in a figurative context may not be understood as metaphorical.
I am nearsighted.
近視が進んでいる。
My myopia is getting worse.
Literally 'near eye', a slightly more colloquial term for nearsightedness. Often used in everyday conversation.
彼は近眼だから、遠くが見えない。
He's nearsighted, so he can't see far away.
A more technical or formal term for myopia, literally 'nearsighted eye'. Less common in daily speech.
近視眼の矯正には眼鏡が必要だ。
Glasses are necessary to correct myopia.
Adjectival noun meaning 'short-sighted' in a figurative sense, lacking long-term perspective. Commonly used in business or criticism.
その政策は近視眼的だ。
That policy is short-sighted.
近視眼的な考え方では、将来の問題を解決できない。
With a myopic way of thinking, you can't solve future problems.
Literally 'narrow field of vision', used figuratively to mean lacking broad perspective or being short-sighted.
彼は視野が狭いから、大局が見えない。
He has a narrow perspective, so he can't see the big picture.
A phrase meaning 'only thinking about what's right in front of you', implying a lack of foresight.
目先のことしか考えない経営者は失敗する。
Managers who only think about immediate concerns will fail.