反射角 (fǎn shè jiǎ) — angle of reflection

Definition

noun

angle of reflection

Measure word · 个

，反射角。
Dāng guāng xiàn zhào shè dào jìng miàn shí, fǎn shè jiǎ děng yú rù shè jiǎo.
When light hits a mirror, the angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence.
，反射角。
Wù lǐ kè shàng, lǎo shī jiào wǒ men rú hé cè liáng fǎn shè jiǎ.
In physics class, the teacher taught us how to measure the angle of reflection.
，反射角。
Zài guāng de fǎn shè zhōng, fǎn shè jiǎ shì yóu fǎn shè dìng lǜ jué dìng de.
In the reflection of light, the angle of reflection is determined by the law of reflection.

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.

反射reflection

偏正Modifier + head

反射 means rays return, and 角 is the angle formed.

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

Sound part声符shēngfú

厂

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.

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

In 射, the left part comes from 弓 (bow) and 矢 (arrow), and the right part comes from a hand drawing the bowstring.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The form 角 is a picture of a horn.