コンパス
Meanings
1
compass (drawing tool); pair of compasses
Specifically the drawing instrument with two legs, used for circles and measurements.
from Dutch kompas
I drew a circle using a compass in math class.
2
The navigational instrument that points north. Often clarified as 方位磁石 in technical contexts, but コンパス is common in everyday speech.
A compass is useful when you get lost in the mountains.
3
stride length; leg length
Colloquial use referring to the length of one's stride or legs, from the image of legs opening like a compass.
He walks fast because he has a long stride.
Usage patterns
- コンパスで〈物〉を描くto draw something (a circle, arc) with a compass
I drew an accurate circle with a compass.
- コンパスが狂うfor a compass to malfunction or give an inaccurate reading
The compass went haywire because of the strong magnetic field.
- コンパスが長いto have a long stride (lit. 'one's compass is long')
He walks fast because he has a long stride.
- コンパスを合わせるto set/adjust the compass to a certain radius
I set the compass to a 5-cm radius.