鏡
kagami[ka̠ɡa̠mʲi]
The Japanese word for mirror is 鏡 (kagami). Wiktionary also lists 姿見 (sugatami).
Meaning: smooth reflecting surface (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 鏡 | kagami | [ka̠ɡa̠mʲi] (narrow) |
| 姿見 | sugatami | [sɨɡa̠ta̠mʲi] (narrow) |
The term 鏡 refers to a smooth reflecting surface. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a mirror or reflection of a person's character or a particular situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 姿見 is a compound of 姿, meaning figure or appearance and 見, meaning to see or view.
Which one should you use?
While 鏡 is the general word for any mirror, 姿見 specifically refers to a full-length mirror used to see one's whole figure.
How do you pronounce it?
kagami
Did you know?
- The term 鏡 is used in the name of 'Kagami-biraki', a ceremony where a lid is broken to open a sake barrel for good luck.
- In Shinto tradition, the 鏡 is one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan and represents truth and purity.
- The ancient roots of 鏡 suggest it was once a compound meaning 'to see a shadow' or 'to see an outline'.
Examples in context
- 鏡が壊れた。The mirror broke.This sentence is useful for describing a broken 鏡.Tatoeba #11878739 by small_snow, translation #8350735 by soliloquist
- 鏡を割るな。Never break a mirror.This sentence is a way to warn someone not to break a 鏡.Tatoeba #13612915 by small_snow, translation #13612908 by rul
- 鏡は光を反射する。A mirror reflects light.This sentence describes the physical property of how a 鏡 reflects light.Tatoeba #180064 by tommy_san, translation #18924 by Swift
- 彼女は美しい鏡を持っています。She has a beautiful mirror.
- 42 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are in a dressing room.
- 健太 Kentaこの鏡、すごく大きいね。Kono kagami, sugoku ookii ne.This mirror is really big, isn't it?
- 陽葵 Himari本当だ。健太さんも見て。Hontou da. Kenta-san mo mite.It is. You should look too, Kenta.
- 健太 Kenta顔がはっきり見えるよ。Kao ga hakkiri mieru yo.I can see my face clearly.
- 陽葵 Himari綺麗に映っているよ。Kirei ni utsutte iru yo.You look beautiful in it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mirror” translations and entries 鏡, 姿見, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 姿見, 鏡, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
