What is the primary focus of semantics in linguistics?

The primary focus of semantics in linguistics is word meanings. Semantics is the branch of linguistics that studies how language conveys meaning. It involves analyzing how different words, phrases, and sentences can signify different concepts and how context affects interpretation. Understanding semantics is essential for grasping how language is used to convey not just literal meanings but also implied or nuanced meanings within communication.

The other areas, such as sound patterns, syllable structure, and sentence boundaries, pertain to other subfields of linguistics like phonetics, phonology, and syntax, which deal with the sounds of speech, the structure of syllables, and the rules governing sentence formation, respectively. However, these do not concentrate on the meaning of words and phrases, which is the central concern of semantics.