反射
hansha[hã̠ɰ̃ɕa̠]
The English phrase reflections is translated into Japanese as 反射 (hansha).
反射 is used specifically to describe physical or optical reflections, such as light reflecting off a mirror or a sound wave bouncing back.
Which one should you use?
While 反射 refers to physical reflection, it is not used to mean 'deep thought' or 'meditation' on a subject. For mental reflection, words like 省察 or 内省 are used instead. Additionally, the formal term 反映 can be used to translate reflection.
How does it change in a sentence?
By adding the suffix -的 to 反射, you create the adjective 反射的, which means 'reflexive' or 'automatic' in the sense of a reflex action.
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word for a physical reflection, 反射, is also the exact word used for a biological 'reflex', like the way your knee jerks when tapped by a doctor.
- The character 反 in 反射 means 'opposite' or 'against', suggesting that a reflection is something that acts 'against' the original direction.
- When talking about a 'reflection' in water, Japanese speakers often use the word 映り込み, which literally means 'reflecting into'.
Examples in context
- 最近、自分の行動を反省する時間を持つようにしています。Lately, I've been trying to make time for self-reflection on my actions.
- 水面の反射がとても綺麗です。Suimen no hansha ga totemo kirei desu.The reflection on the water's surface is very beautiful.
- 鏡の反射で目がくらみました。Kagami no hansha de me ga kuramimashita.I was blinded by the reflection from the mirror.
- 光の反射を計算してください。Hikari no hansha o keisan shite kudasai.Please calculate the reflection of the light.
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are looking at a lake.
- 大翔 Hiroto見て、湖の反射が鏡みたいだね。Mite, mizuumi no hansha ga kagami mitai da ne.Look, the reflection on the lake is like a mirror.
- 美咲 Misaki本当だ。山がはっきり映っているよ。Hontou da. Yama ga hakkiri utsutte iru yo.You're right. The mountains are clearly reflected.
- 大翔 Hirotoいい写真が撮れそうだね。Ii shashin ga tore sou da ne.It looks like we can take a great photo.
- 美咲 Misakiうん、一緒に撮ろう。Un, issho ni torou.Yeah, let's take one together.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 反射, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
