French Conversation · Level 68
60 words
French word
refléter
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁəflete/
Meaning
- verbreflect
Example
Ce miroir reflète la lumière.
This mirror reflects the light.
More examples
Ses actions reflètent sa personnalité.
His actions reflect his personality.
Core concept
A beam or image returns from a surface, while words, actions, or a face give visible form to an underlying idea or quality.
Common phrases
refléter la lumière
reflect light
refléter une image
reflect an image
Similar words
renvoyer: Returns light or an object in another direction.
réfléchir: Thinks through ideas to form an answer or opinion.
projeter: Casts light or an image onto another place.
éclairer: Brightens a place or object by shining light on it.
Definition in French
Renvoyer ou montrer une image, une lumière ou une idée comme dans un miroir.
Word origin
The verb refléter comes from Latin reflectere through learned French formation, combining re- for back with flectere for bend.
Usage tips
- Refléter can show an idea or quality, whereas réfléchir commonly means to think or consider, so the two verbs are not interchangeable in every context.
Other meanings
- mirrorverb
Opposites
- absorberabsorbverb
Related words
- réflecteurreflectornoun
- reflétéreflectedadjective