镜

鏡

jìng

竟 + 钅

Definitions

jìng (noun) mirror; lens

Etymology

Simplified form of 鏡. Phonosemantic compound. 釒 represents the meaning and 竟 represents the sound.

Semantic: 钅 Phonetic: 竟

About

The simplified character 镜 (jìng) is a phonosemantic compound derived from the traditional 鏡. Its left side, 钅, is a simplified form of the metal radical 金, indicating a connection to metal objects, while the right side, 竟 (jìng), supplies the sound. The metal radical reflects historical reality: ancient mirrors were not glass but painstakingly polished bronze or copper surfaces. With the advent of reflective glass and optical lenses, the character's meaning broadened to include modern vanity mirrors, eyeglasses, microscope lenses, cameras, and the general concept of reflection.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我正在照镜子。

wǒ zhèng zài zhào jìng zi.

I am looking in the mirror.

镜子里的我很漂亮。

jìng zi lǐ de wǒ hěn piào liang.

I am beautiful in the mirror.

他买了一副新眼镜。

tā mǎi le yī fù xīn yǎn jìng.

He bought a new pair of glasses.

这个望远镜能看很远。

zhè ge wàng yuǎn jìng néng kàn hěn yuǎn.

This telescope can see very far.

摄影师调整了相机镜头。

shè yǐng shī tiáo zhěng le xiàng jī jìng tóu.

The photographer adjusted the camera lens.

显微镜下可以看到细菌。

xiǎn wēi jìng xià kě yǐ kàn dào xì jūn.

Bacteria can be seen under a microscope.

湖面如镜，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.

通过镜片折射，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.

Related Characters

Component: 竟

Component: 钅

镜