Japanese word

照り返す

Pronunciation

Romajiterikaesu

Meaning

  • verbreflect

Example

白い雪が強い日差しを照り返します。shiro i yuki ga tsuyo i hi za shi o te ri kae shi ma su

The white snow reflects the strong sunlight.

Illustration for 照り返す (reflect)

More examples

水面が夕日の光を照り返しています。sui men ga yū hi no hikari o te ri kae shi te i ma su

The surface of the water is reflecting the light of the setting sun.

Core concept

Expresses the return of strong light or heat from a surface after it strikes that surface.

Common phrases

  • 光を照り返すhikari o te ri kae su

    reflect light

  • 日差しを照り返すhi za shi o te ri kae su

    reflect sunlight

Similar words

反射するhanshasuru: To return light or heat after it reaches a surface, without implying a strong visual effect.
跳ね返すhanekaesu: To make light or heat rebound from a surface with noticeable force.

Definition in Japanese

物の表面が受けた光や熱を反射して、こちら側へ戻す。mono no hyō men ga u ke ta hikari ya netsu o han sha shi te ko chi ra gawa e modo su

Word origin

The compound 照り返す (terikaesu) joins 照る (teru, "to shine") in its continuative form with 返す (kaesu, "to return"), giving the sense of shining something back.

Usage tips

  • Snow, water, and bright walls commonly 照り返す (terikaesu) sunlight, so the verb often appears when a surface makes light feel stronger.

Related words

  • 照り返しterikaeshireflectionnoun

Word lists with this word