How to Pronounce bokeh

Meaning and Context

Bokeh, a fundamental concept in photography and cinematography, refers specifically to the aesthetic character of the out-of-focus areas in an image, not merely the fact of blur itself. Originating from the Japanese word "boke" (暈け or ボケ), meaning "blur" or "haze," it describes the visual quality of the light rendered by a camera lens when a point of light is defocused. This effect is most pronounced in portrait photography and shallow depth of field shots, where a fast aperture (like f/1.8 or f/2.8) creates a pleasing separation between a sharp subject and a soft, creamy background. The nature of the bokeh—whether it appears smooth and buttery or exhibits more defined, geometric "bokeh balls"—is determined by the lens's optical design, including the shape and number of its aperture blades. Achieving beautiful bokeh is a key goal for many photographers, influencing their choice of prime lenses and camera settings to enhance visual storytelling and direct a viewer's attention. It has become a hallmark of professional-looking imagery, deeply intertwined with techniques for background blur and selective focus.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary term, "bokeh," is the accepted Romanized spelling from Japanese, popularized in English-language photography magazines in the late 1990s. A common and persistent misspelling is "boke," which is the direct transliteration of the original Japanese word but is considered incomplete in the photographic context, as "bokeh" includes a terminal 'h' to suggest the correct pronunciation (BOH-kə or BOH-kay). Other frequent typos include "bokah," "boca," and "bokehh," often arising from phonetic guesses or autocorrect errors. It is also sometimes incorrectly capitalized as a proper noun, though it is typically written in lowercase. Confusion may also arise with the similar-sounding but unrelated term "bok choy," the leafy vegetable.

Example Sentences

The photographer chose an 85mm f/1.

4 lens specifically for its ability to produce exceptionally smooth and creamy bokeh, making the subject pop against the city lights.

While a sharp subject is crucial, many enthusiasts argue that the quality of the bokeh in the background is what truly separates a good portrait from a great one.

Some lenses produce harsh, distracting bokeh with onion-ring patterns, while others render out-of-focus highlights as perfect, soft circles.

Videographers often use a lens with pleasing bokeh to create a cinematic look in their films, adding depth and a professional quality to the scene.

To practice, she set her aperture to its widest setting and focused on a nearby flower, transforming the distant garden into a wash of beautiful, abstract color.

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