About
The character 镜 (jìng) combines the metal radical 钅 (jīn), which indicates a connection to metal objects, with the phonetic component 竟 (jìng), suggesting the sound. Its traditional form, 鏡, uses the unsimplified radical 金 but is otherwise identical. The metal radical reflects the character’s origin, as ancient mirrors were made of polished bronze or copper. With advances in manufacturing, the meaning broadened to include mirrors of glass, lenses, and optical instruments like eyeglasses, microscopes, and cameras, as well as the general concept of reflection.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我正在照镜子。
镜子里的我很漂亮。
他买了一副新眼镜。
这个望远镜能看很远。
摄影师调整了相机镜头。
显微镜下可以看到细菌。
湖面如镜，倒映着蓝天。
通过镜片折射，光线改变了方向。