Word
映す
Meaning in Englishproject, reflect, show image
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
It means to reflect or cast an image, light, or impression onto a surface; to display or project something visually, either physically or metaphorically.
Main meanings
- to reflect light or an image onto a surface such as a mirror or water
- to display or project on a screen or surface, including televisions and projectors
- to depict or illustrate in media or writing, conveying an image or impression
- to mirror or convey a metaphorical impression, such as thoughts or emotions
How to use it
Used across formal and informal contexts as a transitive verb. Common collocations include 画像を映す, テレビに映す, 鏡に映す, 壁に映す, 映像を映す, 思いを映す; in literary language it can describe a scene or mood being depicted or reflected in writing.
Variants and close terms
- 写す (うつす) to copy, photograph; similar but not identical in meaning
- 映し出す (うつしだす) to display or project clearly
- 投影する (とうえいする) to project (an image) onto a surface
- 示す (しめす) to show or indicate
Composition
- 映: core idea of reflection, light and image projection
- す: verb suffix that turns the noun/kanji into a verb form
Etymology
映す employs the kun-reading うつす for 映 and uses a native verb-forming suffix す; the kanji 映 itself carries the sense of reflection and projection, with no direct borrowing required.
Word class
verb (godan, す-verb)