How to say "reflection" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 反映はんえいnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbReflection of light: light mirrored on a surface such as water, where the reflected image becomes visible. Typical in descriptions of scenery, like the evening sun reflected in a lake.
- 反射はんしゃnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbReflection in the physical sense: light, heat, or sound striking a surface and bouncing back; it also covers reverberation, as of sound echoing off walls.
- 反省はんせいnoun, suru verb, transitive verbReflection as looking back at one's own conduct: introspection and reconsideration, often with a sense of regret over a mistake. Typical after doing something wrong, as in reflecting deeply on one's behavior.
- 投影とうえいnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCasting a shadow or reflection onto a surface: a shadow projected on a wall, or light and images cast onto a screen. The focus is on the act of projecting rather than on light bouncing back.
- 回想かいそうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbReflection as looking back on the past: recollection and reminiscence. Used when one mentally revisits memories or past events, as in reflecting on one's youth.
Choose 反射 for light or sound bouncing back, 反映 for light mirrored on a surface, 投影 for shadows or images cast onto something, 反省 for thinking over one's own actions, and 回想 for reminiscing about the past.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 反映はんえいreflection (of light)
- 反射はんしゃreflection
- 反省はんせいreflection
- 投影とうえいprojection (of a shadow)
- 回想かいそうrecollection
- 映りうつりprojection
- 照り返してりかえしreflection
- 自省じせいself-examination
- 思案しあんcareful thought
- てかりshine
- リフレクションreflection
- 省察せいさつreflection
- 反照はんしょうreflection
- 倒影とうえいreflection
- 鏡映きょうえいreflection
- 映像えいぞうreflection
- 影かげreflection
- 考えかんがえconsideration
See also
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