反光镜 (fǎn guāng jìng) — reflector; viewfinder (on a camera)

Definition

Compound of 反光 ('reflect light') + 镜 ('mirror/lens'). Covers two senses: a small mirror (e.g. on a car or bike) that reflects light for safety, and the viewfinder on a camera.

noun
reflectorviewfinder (on a camera)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 反光镜。
    Qì chē shàng de fǎn guāng jìng ràng wǒ néng kàn dào hòu miàn de chē.
    The reflector on the car lets me see the vehicle behind.
  • 反光镜。
    Shè yǐng shī yòng fǎn guāng jìng lái tiáo zhěng guāng xiàn.
    The photographer uses a reflector to adjust the light.
  • 反光镜，。
    Zì xíng chē shàng zhuāng le yí gè fǎn guāng jìng, wǎn shàng qí chē gèng ān quán.
    A reflector was installed on the bicycle, making riding at night safer.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

反光reflect light
反fǎnreflect光guānglight
动宾Verb + object
镜jìngmirror

A 镜 that 反 光, a reflector or viewfinder.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
又又yòuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
厂
厂chǎng反fǎn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

反 uses 又 (hand) for meaning and 厂 for sound. Its original shape showed a hand turning its palm over, giving the sense of return or reverse.

Open 反 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 火火huǒfire
  • 卩卩jiékneeling person

The shape 光 places 火 (fire) above 卩 (a kneeling person), showing fire over the head and the shining of light.

Open 光 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 鏡; 镜 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
金金jīnmetal
Sound part声符shēngfú
竟
竟jìng鏡jìng
Same sound today

The traditional form 鏡 puts 金, metal, next to 竟 to give the sound. The simplified 镜 is a later shorthand.

Open 镜 →

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