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March 24, 2026
映yìng(ying4)
The character 映 (yìng) primarily means 'to reflect' or 'to shine,' often in the context of light or images. It is commonly used when discussing reflections in water, projections onto screens, or anything that shines or glimmers. The nuance often includes the idea of clarity or vividness in the reflection.
Strokes9Radical日Frequency#9571DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of reflection is significant in poetry and art, symbolizing introspection and beauty. 映 is often used in idiomatic expressions that evoke imagery of nature and emotion, reflecting the importance of harmony in Chinese aesthetics.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bright light shining on a mirror, creating a vivid reflection. The character 映 resembles a light bulb (the top part) shining on a surface (the bottom part). The sound 'yìng' can remind you of 'ink' which can also reflect light when wet.
Meanings of 映
yìng(ying4)
1to reflect (light)
2to shine
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 映
映Simplified
9Strokes
日Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#9571Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 映
Podcast: 映
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AI Study Notes for 映
Quick Contrast
映 (yìng) vs 反射 (fǎnshè) — use 映 for clarity and vividness in reflections, while 反射 refers more generally to the physical process of reflection.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a bright light shining on a mirror, creating a vivid reflection. The character 映 resembles a light bulb (the top part) shining on a surface (the bottom part). The sound 'yìng' can remind you of 'ink' which can also reflect light when wet.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone, as 'yìng' (fourth tone) is different from similar-sounding words. This character is often used in more formal contexts, such as literature or art discussions, as well as in everyday conversations about reflections and projections. Common collocations include 映出 (to project), and 映像 (image).
HSK Study Tips
Although 映 is not listed in the HSK vocabulary, it connects with words related to light and images, which students may encounter at HSK Level 3 and above. Focus on using it in phrases and understanding its role in compound words to reinforce learning.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of reflection is significant in poetry and art, symbolizing introspection and beauty. 映 is often used in idiomatic expressions that evoke imagery of nature and emotion, reflecting the importance of harmony in Chinese aesthetics.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 映 with 影 (yǐng), which means 'shadow' or 'image.' For example, saying 映子 (yìng zǐ) instead of 影子 (yǐng zǐ) for 'shadow' is a common error.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 映
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Grammar Patterns of 映
映 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
这部电影最早在1957年上____，后被翻拍为《七侠荡寇志》。
Originally released in 1957, the film was remade as "The Magnificent Seven".
Such attitudes are valueless unless they reflect inner cognition and certainty.
8
她在梦中焦虑不安，反映了她白天生活的基调。
tā zài mèng zhōng jiāo lǜ bù ān， ， fǎn yìng le tā bái tiān shēng huó de jī。
Her dreams were troubled, reflecting the tenor of her waking hours.
9
我给他私下里放映了那部电影。
wǒ gěi tā sī xià lǐ fàng yìng le nà bù diàn yǐng。
I gave him a private showing of the film.
10
每棵树、每堵墙和每道栅栏都在白得耀眼的田野映衬下十分夺目。
měi kē shù、 、 měi dǔ qiáng hé měi dào zhà lán dū zài bái dé yào yǎn de tián yě yìng chèn xià shí fēn duó。
Every tree, wall and fence stood out against dazzling white fields.
Cultural Notes for 映
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of reflection is significant in poetry and art, symbolizing introspection and beauty. 映 is often used in idiomatic expressions that evoke imagery of nature and emotion, reflecting the importance of harmony in Chinese aesthetics.
Word Family of 映
Words Containing This Character18
反映fǎnyìngto mirror
上映shàngyìngto screen
映yìngto shine
放映fàngyìngto screen
首映premiere (of a movie)
首映式premiere of a movie
公映public screening (of a movie)
映射to shine on
播映to televise
放映室cinema room
试映trial screening試映
映衬antithesis映襯
映照to shine upon
辉映to reflect輝映
掩映hidden from view
倒映to reflect (producing an inverted image)
映入眼帘(idiom) to greet the eye映入眼簾
映像reflection
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 反映 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 映
Common phrases include 映像 (image), 映出 (to project), and 映射 (to reflect).
It is pronounced as 'yìng' with a falling tone.
Yes, it can be used in daily conversations, especially when discussing reflections, like in water or on screens.
