reflect
Definitions
(of a surface) to throw back light, heat, sound, or an image.
反射（光、热、声音）；映出（影像）
To think carefully and deeply about something.
深思，反思，沉思
To show, express, or be a sign of a particular state or quality.
反映，表明，体现
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedre- (back) + flect (bend) = 'bend back.' A surface bends light back toward you, so it reflects an image. A result bends back to its cause, so it reflects that cause. And the mind bends back over an idea rather than running forward, so to reflect is to think deeply. Same bending-back image, three domains: light, representation, and thought.
Root flect still carries 6 more wordsWhy It Means This
All three senses live on one picture: something bouncing back. The mirror sense is literal — the beam returns. The 'show/represent' sense is a step out: the data 'comes back' as a true image of the situation. The 'think' sense is the most abstract — your attention turns inward and runs back over what happened. English keeps all three under one word, so context tells you whether light, a fact, or a thought is doing the bending back.
Common Collocations
- 1.reflect light反射光线
- 2.reflect on something反思某事
- 3.reflect a trend反映一种趋势
- 4.reflect badly/well on给…带来负面/正面影响
Example Sentences
- 1.
The calm lake reflected the snowy mountains perfectly.
- 2.
Take a moment to reflect on what really matters to you.
- 3.
The rising prices reflect the growing demand for housing.
- 4.
Her tired eyes reflected the long, difficult week she'd had.
Synonym Comparison
- reflect — to bounce back, or to think back over: reflect on the past
- ponder — to weigh something carefully in the mind, often a decision
- contemplate — to consider deeply and at length, sometimes with awe
- mirror — to show an exact likeness of (sales mirror demand) — close to reflect's 'represent' sense
- mull (over) — informal, to turn something over in the mind without rushing