JLPT N2・N3 Vocabulary – Difference between “注目” and “着目”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “注目ちゅうもく” and ”着目”ちゃくもく
2. 注目ちゅうもく
3. 着目ちゃくもく
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: Can you explain the difference between “注目ちゅうもく” and “着目ちゃくもく“?

A: Both express paying attention to something, but their meanings and the situations in which they are used differ.

注目ちゅうもく (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]
① To closely observe a specific thing or person
② Something that people are interested in or curious about
③ Something that is a topic of conversation

[Common Expressions]
注目ちゅうもくを集あつめる(To attract attention)・注目ちゅうもくを浴あびる(To receive attention)

[Examples]
では、この赤あかい丸まるのところに注目ちゅうもくしてください。（①）
Please pay attention to this red circle.

彼かれらは高校こうこう生せいから注目ちゅうもくあびているアーティストです。（②）
They are artists who have been receiving attention from high school students.

いま注目ちゅうもくの商品しょうひんはこちらです。（③）
This is the product currently attracting attention.

着目ちゃくもく (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
To focus on specific elements or points during analysis or evaluation

[Examples]
これは着目ちゃくもくすべきデータです。
This is data that should be focused on.

ある成分せいぶんに着目ちゃくもくして新あたらしい薬くすりが作つくられました。
A new medicine was created by focusing on a certain ingredient.

この論文ろんぶんは日本にほん語ごの分析ぶんせきがすばらしいですが、特とくに古語こごに着目ちゃくもくしている点てんが評価ひょうかされました。
This paper’s analysis of Japanese is excellent, especially its focus on classical Japanese, which has been highly regarded.

Let’s Compare

“注目ちゅうもく” is used for general attention, interest, or topics of discussion. On the other hand, “着目ちゃくもく” is used in specialized fields for matters related to “analysis, evaluation, and consideration,” focusing on specific points.

[Examples]
わたしが今いま注目ちゅうもくしているのは韓国かんこくの歌手かしゅです。
I am currently paying attention to Korean singers.
⇒ This means that the speaker is currently interested in Korean singers.

今いま、着目ちゃくもくされている物質ぶっしつで多おおくの人ひとの命いのちを救すくえるかもしれません。
The substance currently being focused on might save many lives.
⇒ This means focusing on specific points of a substance that is being analyzed or evaluated.

Therefore, if these two are used interchangeably, the meaning will not make sense or will become unnatural.

[Examples]
わたしが今いま着目ちゃくもくしているのは韓国かんこくの歌手かしゅです。
I am currently focusing on Korean singers.
⇒ Since it is not a specialized field, the sentence does not make sense.

今いま、注目ちゅうもくされている物質ぶっしつで多おおくの人ひとの命いのちを救すくえるかもしれません。
The substance currently attracting attention might save many lives.
⇒ The sentence makes sense, but it means “a substance that people are interested in or curious about.”

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[注目ちゅうもくを集あつめる・注目ちゅうもくを浴あびる]

There are verbs often used with “注目ちゅうもく“, such as “集あつめる” (to attract) and “浴あびる” (to receive), but note that their original meanings differ.

“注目ちゅうもくを集あつめる” implies that the subject actively attracts attention. It refers to something that draws interest due to its own charm or characteristics.

“注目ちゅうもくを浴あびる” implies that the subject passively receives attention. It describes a situation where many people naturally direct their interest or attention to the subject.

[Examples]
キラキラと輝かがやくドレスは多おおくの人ひとの注目ちゅうもくを集あつめました。
The sparkling dress attracted the attention of many people.
⇒ The beautiful dress is drawing people’s interest.

世界せかい中じゅうでボランティア活動かつどうをする吉田よしださんは世界せかいから注目ちゅうもくを浴あびています。
Mr. Yoshida, who volunteers worldwide, is attracting attention from all over the world.
⇒ People are naturally directing their interest towards Mr. Yoshida.

Summary

[注目ちゅうもく]

• To pay attention to a specific thing or person.
• Used when you want to refer to general attention, interest, or a topic of discussion.

[着目ちゃくもく]

• Used in specialized fields during “analysis, evaluation, and consideration” to pay attention to specific points, indicating more concrete aspects.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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