Definitions

jìng (noun) mirror; lens

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "镜", simplified from its traditional form "鏡", structurally combines the metal radical "金" (represented as "钅" in simplification) with the phonetic component "竟", directly pointing to its original reference to mirrors made of polished metal. Etymologically, this construction underscores the material basis of early mirrors, while the meaning later extended beyond metallic reflectors to encompass various optical devices such as lenses and eyeglasses, paralleling developments in technology and material use.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我正在照子。

wǒ zhèng zài zhào jìng zi.

I am looking in the mirror.

子里的我很漂亮。

jìng zi lǐ de wǒ hěn piào liang.

I am beautiful in the mirror.

他买了一副新眼

tā mǎi le yī fù xīn yǎn jìng.

He bought a new pair of glasses.

这个望远能看很远。

zhè ge wàng yuǎn jìng néng kàn hěn yuǎn.

This telescope can see very far.

摄影师调整了相机头。

shè yǐng shī tiáo zhěng le xiàng jī jìng tóu.

The photographer adjusted the camera lens.

显微下可以看到细菌。

xiǎn wēi jìng xià kě yǐ kàn dào xì jūn.

Bacteria can be seen under a microscope.

湖面如,倒映着蓝天。

hú miàn rú jìng, dào yìng zhe lán tiān.

The lake surface is like a mirror, reflecting the blue sky.

通过片折射,光线改变了方向。

tōng guò jìng piàn zhé shè, guāng xiàn gǎi biàn le fāng xiàng.

Through the refraction of the lens, the light changes direction.