Foco

Foco is a noun used in Spanish and Portuguese to denote the center, convergence point, or area of interest in a range of contexts. The word derives from the Latin focus, meaning hearth or center, and has carried into modern use with a similar sense of central point or emphasis.

In optics and photography, foco refers to the focal point of a lens, where light rays converge to form a sharp image. It also describes the action of focusing, adjusting the distance between the lens and the subject to achieve clarity. In this technical sense, the term is common in discussions of lenses, cameras, and optical instruments.

In medicine and public health, foco is used to describe a localized site of disease or infection, such as a foco de infección or a foco epidemiológico. This usage helps professionals identify the origin or concentration of a problem within a larger system, such as an outbreak or localized pathology.

In everyday language, foco appears in phrases that indicate the central issue or main topic of attention, such as “el foco del debate.” This figurative use extends the term beyond technical fields to journalism, analysis, and discourse, signaling where attention or investigation should be directed.

Across languages, foco functions as a direct counterpart to the English term “focus,” sharing the sense of a center of activity, attention, or convergence. The concept spans scientific, medical, and common speech, maintaining a core meaning of central point or emphasis.