映

暎

yìng

央 + 日

Definitions

yìng (verb) to reflect; to shine

yìng (verb) to project (an image)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 日 represents the meaning and 央 represents the sound.

Semantic: 日 Phonetic: 央

About

The character 映 functions as a verb meaning to reflect, shine, or project. Its structure combines the sun radical 日 on the left with the phonetic element 央 on the right. 央 supplies the pronunciation yìng, while independently meaning center or middle. With the sun radical anchoring it in the concept of light, 映 concerns the behavior of illumination, how it bounces off surfaces, creates visual reflections, and produces images. This makes it the natural choice for describing sunlight glinting on water, mirror reflections, the casting of shadows, and, in modern contexts, the projection of motion pictures onto screens for cinema.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

映山红花开得很美。

Yìng shān hóng huā kāi dé hěn měi.

The azalea flowers are blooming beautifully.

湖水清晰地映出山的倒影。

Hú shuǐ qīng xī de yìng chū shān de dào yǐng.

The lake water clearly reflects the mountain's shadow.

夕阳映照在平静的湖面上。

Xī yáng yìng zhào zài píng jìng de hú miàn shàng.

The setting sun shines upon the calm lake surface.

他的眼神里映出了深深的担忧。

Tā de yǎn shén lǐ yìng chū le shēn shēn de dān yōu.

Deep worry was reflected in his eyes.

这部电影反映了当代年轻人的生活。

Zhè bù diàn yǐng fǎn yìng le dāng dài nián qīng rén de shēng huó.

This movie reflects the lives of contemporary young people.

晚霞将整个天空映成了橙红色。

Wǎn xiá jiāng zhěng gè tiān kōng yìng chéng le chéng hóng sè.

The sunset glow tinted the entire sky orange-red.

灯光映射在光洁的大理石地板上。

Dēng guāng yìng shè zài guāng jié de dà lǐ shí dì bǎn shàng.

The light was projected onto the polished marble floor.

历史与现实交相辉映，引人深思。

Lì shǐ yǔ xiàn shí jiāo xiāng huī yìng, yǐn rén shēn sī.

History and reality illuminate each other, prompting deep reflection.

Related Characters

Component: 央

Component: 日

映