映し出す・写し出す|うつしだすutsushidasu[4]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
映し出す映し出す（うつしだす） is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners. Use it for projecting or showing something on a screen, or for reflecting or portraying something.
写し出す写し出す（うつしだす） is less common than 映し出す（うつしだす） but has the same meanings. Beginners should generally choose 映し出す（うつしだす） instead.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto project; to show (on a screen); to reflect (of a mirror, lake, etc.)esp. 映し出す月が湖に映し出されていた。↗The moon was reflected in the lake.
- godan verb, transitive verbto portray; to depict; to describeesp. 写し出す
- godan verb, transitive verbto reflect (the times, mood, etc.)esp. 映し出す
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 映し出す（うつしだす） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 映し出します（うつしだします） |
| Negative (nai) | 映し出さない（うつしださない） |
| polite (masen) | 映し出しません（うつしだしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 映し出さず・映し出さぬ（うつしださず・うつしださぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 映し出した（うつしだした） |
| polite (mashita) | 映し出しました（うつしだしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 映し出さなかった（うつしださなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 映し出しませんでした（うつしだしませんでした） |
| Te form | 映し出して（うつしだして） |
| Potential | 映し出せる（うつしだせる） |
| Passive | 映し出される（うつしだされる） |
| Causative | 映し出させる（うつしださせる） |
| Causative passive | 映し出させられる（うつしださせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 映し出せば（うつしだせば） |
| tara | 映し出したら（うつしだしたら） |
| Volitional | 映し出そう（うつしだそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 映し出しましょう（うつしだしましょう） |
| Imperative | 映し出せ（うつしだせ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym映すうつすNeutralFor plain reflection or projection, as a mirror catching a figure; 「映し出す」 stresses the image clearly appearing on a screen or before the eyes.
- Synonym反映はんえいWrittenFor reflecting or embodying something abstract, as 「世論を反映する」; also for an update or change taking effect. Written/formal prose.
- Synonym投射とうしゃWrittenProjects light or images onto a surface or screen; technical term, also for psychological projection. For a work reflecting its era, 「映し出す」 is usual.
- Synonym投影とうえいWrittenProjection of a shadow or image; also projecting one's feelings onto someone. Technical and psychological usage; written/formal prose.
- Related表すあらわすNeutralTo express or represent, e.g. 「感謝の気持ちを表す」; a general word for showing something, without the sense of making an image or scene appear that 「映し出す」 carries.
- Related描くえがくNeutralTo draw or depict, including scenes pictured in the mind; stresses actively drawing rather than reflecting an image.
- Related示すしめすNeutralTo show or indicate, e.g. 「数値を示す」; centers on pointing something out rather than projecting an image.
- Related描き出すえがきだすWrittenTo depict something vividly, mainly in literary and artistic works. Written/formal prose.
- Related表現ひょうげんNeutralExpression of thoughts and feelings via words, art, or images; stresses the manner of expression, while 「映し出す」 stresses making an image or appearance emerge.
- Related描写びょうしゃWrittenDetailed depiction through words, pictures, or images; centers on describing, not on projecting an image. Written/formal prose.
- Related写すうつすNeutralTo photograph, copy, or trace — reproducing something exactly as it is; homophone of the reflecting 「映す」.
- Related叙述じょじゅつWrittenNarrating facts in order, in writing or speech; centers on telling, not on presenting images. Written/formal prose.
- Related反照はんしょうWrittenReflection of light or the evening glow; rare even in written prose.
- Related射影しゃえいWrittenCasting light or a shadow onto a wall and the image so formed; also a mathematical term. Written/formal prose.
- Antonym消すけすNeutralTo erase or switch off — the opposite of 「映し出す」, which presents an image.
- Antonym隠すかくすNeutralTo hide or conceal — the opposite of 「映し出す」, which brings truth or inner feelings into view.
Use 「映し出す」 for projecting an image onto a screen, a mirror showing a figure, or a work reflecting society, as in 「時代を映し出す」. For plain reflection say 「映す」, for abstract embodiment 「反映する」, for depiction 「描く」. 「投射」「投影」「射影」 are technical; 「描き出す」「描写」 suit literary portrayal; 「消す」「隠す」 are opposites.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
