German word

spiegeln

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃpiːgl̩n/

Meaning

  • verbreflect

Example

Der See spiegelt die Berge am Morgen.

The lake reflects the mountains in the morning.

Illustration for spiegeln (reflect)

More examples

Kunstwerke spiegeln oft die Identität einer Epoche.

Works of art often reflect the identity of an era.

Core concept

A shiny surface sends a recognizable scene back to the eye, and events or behavior can likewise mirror something more abstract.

Common phrases

  • die Identität spiegeln

    reflect identity

  • politische Tendenzen spiegeln

    reflect political tendencies

  • auf der Glasfläche spiegeln

    be reflected on the glass surface

Similar words

sich spiegeln: To be visible as an image on a surface such as water or glass.
widerspiegeln: To express or reveal characteristics such as color, mood, or atmosphere.
reflektieren: To consider experiences or events thoughtfully to gain deeper insight.

Definition in German

Durch Reflexion ein Bild auf einer Fläche erzeugen oder etwas bildlich wiedergeben.

Word origin

Spiegeln is a verb formed from the German noun Spiegel, 'mirror', with its meaning later extending from visible images to figurative reflection.

Usage tips

  • In Die Berge spiegeln sich im See, sich marks the reflected subject and im See is dative; this differs from the transitive pattern Der See spiegelt die Berge.

Other meanings

  • mirrorverb
  • be reflectedverb

Opposites

  • absorbierenabsorbverb

Related words

  • Spiegelungreflectionnoun
  • gespiegeltreflectedadjective

Word lists with this word