Meaning of 反映
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to mirror
- to reflect
- mirror image
- reflection
- (fig.) to report
- to make known
- to render
How to use 反映
反映 is often used figuratively: a thing reflects a situation, or a person reports a problem to someone in charge, as in 向领导反映 (xiàng lǐngdǎo fǎnyìng). Example: 这本书反映了当时的社会生活。(Zhè běn shū fǎnyìng le dāngshí de shèhuì shēnghuó.) This book reflects the social life of that time.
反 (fǎn) means to turn back, and 映 (yìng) has the sun radical 日, suggesting light shining on something. Light that turns back from a surface is a reflection, so 反映 is to mirror or reflect.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 反映 (fǎnyìng) with 反应 (fǎnyìng), which sounds exactly the same but means to react or a reaction. Use 反映 when something shows or reports a situation, and 反应 when someone responds to something.
反映 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
反 fǎn · contrary · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
映 yìng · to become visible · 9 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
Related words
Words that share a character with 反映.
| 反正 | fǎnzhèng | anyway; in any case |
| 反对 | fǎnduì | to oppose; to be against; to object to |
| 反应 | fǎnyìng | to react; to respond |
| 反复 | fǎnfù | repeatedly; over and over |
| 相反 | xiāngfǎn | opposite; contrary |
| 反而 | fǎn'ér | on the contrary; instead |
| 违反 | wéifǎn | to violate (a law) |
| 反抗 | fǎnkàng | to resist; to rebel |
| 反响 | fǎnxiǎng | repercussions; reaction |
| 反问 | fǎnwèn | to ask (a question) in reply; to answer a question with a question |
| 反击 | fǎnjī | to strike back; to beat back; to counterattack |
| 反常 | fǎncháng | unusual; abnormal |
Questions about 反映
What does 反映 mean?
反映 (fǎnyìng) means "to mirror; to reflect" and is used as a verb and noun.
How do you write 反映?
反映 is made of 2 characters: 反 (4 strokes), 映 (9 strokes). That is 13 strokes in total.
Is 反映 an HSK word?
Yes. 反映 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How do I say 'report a problem' with 反映?
Use the pattern 向 + person + 反映 + problem, for example 我向老师反映了这个问题 (Wǒ xiàng lǎoshī fǎnyìng le zhège wèntí), I reported this problem to the teacher. It sounds natural for raising concerns with an authority.
Can 反映 be used as a noun?
Yes. As a noun it means a reflection or feedback, as in 大家的反映很好 (dàjiā de fǎnyìng hěn hǎo), everyone's feedback is good. In this feedback sense people sometimes use 反应 too, but 反映 stresses opinions that were reported.