Chinese word

写照

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiě zhào

Meaning

  • nounreflection

Example

这本书是农村生活的写照。zhè běn shū shì nóng cūn shēng huó de xiě zhào

This book is a reflection of rural life.

Illustration for 写照 (reflection)

More examples

这组照片是城市变迁的写照。zhè zǔ zhào piān shì chéng shì biàn qiān de xiě zhào

This set of photos is a reflection of changes in the city.

Core concept

A portrayal that makes the real character of a person or situation visible through concrete details.

Common phrases

  • 生动的写照shēng dòng de xiě zhào

    vivid depiction

  • 真实的写照zhēn shí de xiě zhào

    true reflection

  • 生活的写照shēng huó de xiě zhào

    reflection of life

Similar words

反映fǎn yìng: The showing of a feature or condition through another situation or form.
形象xíng xiàng: The overall image or impression created by a person or thing.
描写miáo xiě: A detailed account of a person, thing, or situation in words.

Definition in Chinese

指由具体事例或描写呈现出某人或某事的现实面貌或典型特征，常作比喻用。zhǐ yóu jù tǐ shì lì huò miáo xiě chéng xiàn chū mǒu rén huò mǒu shì de xiàn shí miàn mào huò diǎn xíng tè zhēng cháng zuò bǐ yù yòng

Word origin

写 (xiě, "depict") + 照 (zhào, "reflect") forms a term for an image whose details preserve the actual character of its subject.

Usage tips

  • Conversational learners mainly meet this word in commentary, reviews, and other writing that presents one example as representative of a wider reality.

Other meanings

  • depictionnoun
  • true picturenoun

Word lists with this word