German word

Spiegel

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃpiːgəl/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmirror

Example

Ich sehe mich im Spiegel.

I see myself in the mirror.

Illustration for Spiegel (mirror)

More examples

Er wirft einen kurzen Blick in den Spiegel, bevor er das Haus verlässt.

He takes a quick glance in the mirror before he leaves the house.

Core concept

A smooth surface that sends a person's reflected appearance back to the viewer.

Common phrases

  • einen Blick in den Spiegel werfen

    take a glance in the mirror

  • vor dem Spiegel stehen

    stand in front of the mirror

Similar words

Spiegelbild: An image reflected in a mirror or on a surface of water.
Der Spiegel: A famous German weekly news magazine.
Rückspiegel: A small mirror on a vehicle for viewing traffic behind or beside it.
Handspiegel: A small mirror designed to be held while checking one's appearance.

Definition in German

Ein flaches Objekt, an dem man sein Spiegelbild betrachten kann, oft aus poliertem Glas gefertigt.

Word origin

Spiegel comes through Old High German spiagal from Latin speculum, meaning a device for viewing a reflection.

Usage tips

  • Spiegel is masculine, with der Spiegel in the singular and die Spiegel in the plural; the form does not change.

Related words

  • Spiegelschriftmirror writingnoun
  • spiegelverkehrtmirror-reversedadjective

Word lists with this word