Japanese word

反射

Pronunciation

Romajihansha

Meaning

  • nounreflection

Example

鏡に光の反射が見えます。kagami ni hikari no han sha ga mi e ma su

You can see the reflection of light in the mirror.

Illustration for 反射 (reflection)

More examples

白い壁は光を強く反射します。shiro i kabe wa hikari o tsuyo ku han sha shi ma su

White walls reflect light strongly.

Core concept

Describes light, sound, or a stimulus meeting something and turning back, either as a physical bounce or an automatic response.

Common phrases

  • 光の反射hikari no han sha

    reflection of light

  • 反射を防ぐhan sha o fuse gu

    prevent reflection

  • 反射を利用するhan sha o ri yō su ru

    use reflection

Similar words

反響hankyō: A sound that returns after striking a surface and can be heard again.
反応hannō: An automatic change or movement caused by a stimulus.
跳ね返りhanekaeri: The return of light, sound, or another force after hitting a surface.

Definition in Japanese

光や音などが物に当たって跳ね返る現象。また、外から受けた刺激に対して無意識に起こる反応。hikari ya oto na do ga mono ni a ta tte ha ne kae ru gen shō ma ta soto ka ra u ke ta shi geki ni tai shi te mu i shiki ni o ko ru han nō

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 反射 (hansha) combines 反 (han, "against" or "return") and 射 (sha, "shoot"), expressing something sent back after being directed outward.

Usage tips

  • English uses reflection for both bounced light and careful thought, but 反射 (hansha) normally refers to a physical bounce or an automatic bodily response rather than contemplation.

Other meanings

  • reflexnoun
  • reverberationnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 反射率hansharitsureflectancenoun

Word lists with this word