映
Reflect
On’yomi: えい
Kun’yomi: うつ.*
Radicals: Sun + Central
Meaning: Reflect
When the sun hits the central part of a mirror, it will reflect directly back at the sun. If it hits somewhere other than the central area, the sun will reflect off in another direction.
The sun can reflect off a lot of things. Glare from the sun is annoying. Imagine the sun’s light being reflected into your eyes. The light hurts and you have to squint.
Reading: えい
The mirror is in the shape of an ace (えい), the ace of spades. So when the sun hits it and reflects off, the reflected light is in the shape of an ace.
Imagine hearing the song Ace of Spades playing in your head as you picture the reflection from the mirror hitting you in the eyes. Senses overload!
Related Vocabulary
映す うつす To Project
映る うつる To Be Projected
映像 えいぞう Image
- 映 (Reflect) + 像 (Statue)
映画 えいが Movie
- 映 (Reflect) + 画 (Drawing)