Reflection in different languages

Reflection in Different Languages

Discover 'Reflection' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

Reflection is a powerful word that carries significant meaning across cultures and languages. It refers to the act of thinking deeply about something, considering its implications, and often seeking to learn from past experiences. This concept is universal, and you'll find words similar to 'reflection' in many languages around the world.

Reflection has been a critical aspect of human culture and philosophy for centuries. In ancient Greece, the philosopher Socrates emphasized the importance of self-reflection in seeking wisdom and improving one's character. Similarly, in many Eastern cultures, practices like meditation and mindfulness encourage deep reflection as a means of achieving inner peace and balance.

Knowing the translation of 'reflection' in different languages can be beneficial for various reasons. For global citizens, it can foster cross-cultural understanding and communication. For language learners, it can help expand vocabulary and improve comprehension. And for those interested in personal growth, exploring the nuances of this concept in various languages can offer fresh perspectives and insights.

Here are a few translations of 'reflection' to pique your curiosity:

Reflection

Reflection in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansnadenke
The word "nadenke" is derived from the Dutch "nadenken," meaning "contemplate" or "reflect on".
Amharicነጸብራቅ
Hausatunani
The word 'tunani' also means 'appearance' or 'sign' in Hausa
Igboechiche
In the Igbo language, "echiche" also refers to a state of being cautious or watchful.
Malagasytaratra
The word 'taratra' is also used to indicate a 'shadow' or a 'shade'.
Nyanja (Chichewa)chinyezimiro
The word "chinyezimiro" also conveys the meaning of "self-awareness" and "introspection" in Nyanja.
Shonakuratidzwa
"Kuratidzwa" in Shona can also mean "to be cared for" or "to be looked after."
Somalimilicsiga
The word "milicsiga" can also refer to a mirror, a lake or a mirage.
Sesothoponahatso
The root 'ponahatso' also means 'to resemble' or 'to look like'.
Swahilitafakari
The word "tafakari" is derived from the root "fikiri," meaning thought or idea, and carries the concept of contemplation, introspection, or meditation.
Xhosaimbonakalo
The word "imbonakalo" in Xhosa comes from the verb "ukubona", which means "to see", and the noun "ikalo", which means "mirror".
Yorubaotito
The word
Zuluukucabanga
Ukucabanga is a homophone of 'to think' and also means 'meditation' in Zulu.
Bambarahakilijakabɔ
Ewedzedze
Kinyarwandagutekereza
Lingalamakanisi
Lugandaekitangaala
Sepedisešupo
Twi (Akan)sɛso

Reflection in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicانعكاس
Originally, it meant turning something upside down then it came to also mean mirroring.
Hebrewהִשׁתַקְפוּת
The word "הִשׁתַקְפוּת" is derived from the root "שׁקף," which means "to shine" or "to gleam," and it can also refer to a "mirror" or a "model."
Pashtoانعکاس
The Pashto word "انعکاس" can also mean "impact" or "consequence".
Arabicانعكاس
Originally, it meant turning something upside down then it came to also mean mirroring.

Reflection in Western European Languages

Albanianreflektimi
As a noun, 'reflektimi' is often used in a philosophical context, meaning 'introspection' or 'contemplation'.
Basquehausnarketa
The word "hausnarketa" derives from the Basque words "hau" (this), "na" (that) and "arketaz" (reflection), implying a reciprocal or comparative reflection.
Catalanreflexió
The Catalan word "reflexió" is derived from the Latin word "reflexio", meaning "a bending back"}
Croatianodraz
"Odraz" (reflection) also means "a wound scar" or "an imprint of something left behind".
Danishafspejling
In Danish, 'afspejling' denotes both 'reflection' and a 'consequence' or 'implication' of an action.
Dutchreflectie
In Dutch, "reflectie" can also refer to a written assignment in which students reflect on their learning experiences.
Englishreflection
The word "reflection" derives from the Latin "reflectere," meaning "to bend back," and also refers to a thought, idea, or opinion.
Frenchréflexion
In French,
Frisianwjerspegeling
The Frisian word "wjerspegeling" derives from the compound "wider-spilling", meaning "to cast back, to reflect."
Galicianreflexión
In Galician, "reflexión" comes from Latin "reflexio" and also means "thought" or "consideration".
Germanreflexion
Reflexion can also mean "consideration" or "deliberation" in German, hinting at its Latin roots "re" (back) and "flectere" (to bend).
Icelandicspeglun
Speglun is related to Old Norse words for "to look at" and "mirror", and has the same root as words for "spectacles" (eyeglasses) in several Germanic languages.
Irishmachnamh
There is also a related word, "Machnamh", which is sometimes used in an older context of study or "pondering" instead of "reflection", with the word for "reflection" (in the sense of a mirror image) being "athraighil".
Italianriflessione
Il termine italiano “riflessione” in ambito matematico indica la trasformazione di una figura nel suo simmetrico rispetto a una retta o a un punto.
Luxembourgishreflexioun
In Luxembourgish, "Reflexioun" can also refer to the ability to think critically or the act of self-reflection.
Malteseriflessjoni
It also has the alternate meaning of 'thought', which comes from the Latin word 'reflexio'.
Norwegianspeilbilde
Speilbilde is a compound word from 'speil' (mirror) and 'bilde' (picture), and can also refer to an optical illusion.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)reflexão
The Portuguese word "reflexão" has several meanings, including "thought", "consideration", and "meditation".
Scots Gaelicmeòrachadh
Spanishreflexión
The word "reflexión" also means "thought" or "consideration" in Spanish.
Swedishreflexion
The Swedish word "reflexion" can also mean "consideration" or "deliberation".
Welshmyfyrio
The rare form 'meuwyr' is used for the 'reflection' or 'reverberation' of light or sound.

Reflection in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianрэфлексія
"Рэфлексія" is also used in Belarusian to describe the process of self-examination or contemplation.
Bosnianrefleksija
"Refleksija" is derived from the Latin word "reflexio" meaning "bending back". The word is also used to describe philosophical meditation and contemplation, as well as various artistic and scientific reflections.
Bulgarianотражение
In physics, "отражение" also means "reflection" in the sense of bouncing back.
Czechodraz
In Polish, odraz also means "wound" or "injury".
Estonianpeegeldus
Peegeldus, also spelled "pehmeldus," is a noun meaning "reflection" or "contemplation".
Finnishpohdintaa
In Finnish, "pohdintaa" also means "deliberation" or "contemplation".
Hungarianvisszaverődés
In physics, it also means the phenomenon which occurs when light or acoustic waves etc. bounce off the surface of the medium.
Latvianpārdomas
Pārdomas also means `thoughts, considerations, worries, musings` in Latvian, a meaning which is less common in English.
Lithuanianatspindys
"Atpindys" shares its origin with the Latvian word "atspoguļojums" or the Polish word "odbicie", originating from the Proto-Indo-European roots meaning "to throw" or "to pour".
Macedonianрефлексија
The Macedonian word "рефлексија" derives from the Latin verb "reflectere," which means "to bend" or "to turn back," and shares related meanings with the English word "reflexion."
Polishodbicie
In addition to its primary meaning of "reflection", "odbicie" can also refer to a rebound, echo, or imitation.
Romanianreflecţie
In Romanian, the word "reflecție" also means "thought, meditation" and "commentary".
Russianотражение
Отражение can also mean a repercussion, an impact, or the effect of something.
Serbianодраз
The Serbian word 'одраз' is derived from the Old Slavic word 'obraz' meaning 'image' or 'form' and is related to the word 'vid' meaning 'view' or 'sight'. It can also refer to the act of reflecting or the result of reflected light.
Slovakodraz
Odraz is also the name of a Slovak football club, FK Odranec-Drážovce.
Slovenianrefleksija
''Refleksija'' in Slovenian is derived from the Latin word 'reflexio', which means 'bending back' or 'turning back' and can also refer to contemplation or introspection.
Ukrainianрефлексія
In Ukrainian, "рефлексія" not only refers to reflection but also contemplation, self-criticism, or analysis.

Reflection in South Asian Languages

Bengaliপ্রতিবিম্ব
The word "প্রতিবিম্ব" also means "likeness", "image" or "counterpart" in Bengali.
Gujaratiપ્રતિબિંબ
પ્રતિબિંબ shares its root with 'pratibimb,' meaning 'twin' or 'copy,' and 'bimb,' meaning 'an image' or 'a figure'.
Hindiप्रतिबिंब
The word "प्रतिबिंब" also means "image" or "counterpart" in Hindi, and is related to the Sanskrit word "प्रतिभान" which means "intuition" or "understanding".
Kannadaಪ್ರತಿಫಲನ
ಪ್ರತಿಫಲನ (pratiphalana) also signifies a 'reward', 'return' or 'compensation' in Kannada.
Malayalamപ്രതിഫലനം
The word "പ്രതിഫലനം" in Malayalam comes from the Sanskrit word "pratiphala" meaning "result" or "reward"}
Marathiप्रतिबिंब
प्रतिबिंब also means 'image', 'copy' or 'likeness' in Marathi.
Nepaliपरावर्तन
The word "परावर्तन" is derived from the Sanskrit word "आ-वृत्त" which means "to turn back" or "to return".
Punjabiਪ੍ਰਤੀਬਿੰਬ
"ਪ੍ਰਤੀਬਿੰਬ" also means an image of someone or something as reflected in a mirror or in water, especially when seen together with the original.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)පරාවර්තනය
Tamilபிரதிபலிப்பு
Teluguప్రతిబింబం
Urduعکس
The word "عکس" can also mean "picture" or "image" in Urdu, as it derives from the Arabic word "عكس" meaning "to reflect" or "to imitate".

Reflection in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)反射
反射 (fǎnshè) also means 'to reflect' in the sense of 'to think carefully' and 'to consider' in Chinese.
Chinese (Traditional)反射
反射 (fǎnshè) also means 'reflex', 'instinct', 'reaction', or 'response' in Chinese.
Japanese反射
反射 (hansha) can also mean "refract," "bend," and "throw back."
Korean반사
반사 also means 'bounce' - e.g. 반사대 (trampoline).
Mongolianтусгал
Tusgal also means 'idea' or 'imagination'
Myanmar (Burmese)ရောင်ပြန်ဟပ်

Reflection in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianrefleksi
The word "refleksi" in Indonesian can also refer to a reflex, a conditioned response to a stimulus.
Javanesebayangan
"Bayangan", in Javanese, refers to an echo or reverberation, as well as a reflection in a mirror.
Khmerការឆ្លុះបញ្ចាំង
Laoການສະທ້ອນ
Malayrenungan
Renungan also means pondering or contemplation in Malay.
Thaiการสะท้อนกลับ
In Sanskrit, the root word "pratibimb" means "backwards" or "inverted image," emphasizing the mirror-like aspect of a reflection.
Vietnamesesự phản chiếu
The word "sự phản chiếu" can also mean "reflection of the mirror" or "something that looks like another thing."
Filipino (Tagalog)pagmuni-muni

Reflection in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniəks
In Azerbaijani, "əks" can also mean "echo" or "sound reflection".
Kazakhшағылысу
The word "шағылысу" also means "to reflect (on), to consider, to ponder, to deliberate, to meditate, to think (about)" in Kazakh.
Kyrgyzчагылдыруу
Tajikинъикос
The word "инъикос" may also refer to a mirror.
Turkmenşöhlelendirme
Uzbekaks ettirish
The Uzbek word "aks ettirish" comes from the Old Turkic word "akset", meaning "to turn" or "to face towards."
Uyghurئەكىس ئەتتۈرۈش

Reflection in Pacific Languages

Hawaiiannoonoo
In Hawaiian, the word "noonoo" can also refer to one of the four souls that make up a person according to ancient beliefs.
Maoriwhakaataaro
The word "whakaataaro" also means "to consider" or "to deliberate".
Samoanmanatunatu loloto
The word "manatunatu loloto" can also refer to thinking deeply or pondering.
Tagalog (Filipino)repleksyon
In Tagalog, "repleksyon" is derived from the Spanish word "reflexión," meaning "thought, consideration," and can also refer to "reflection" in the sense of an image or echo

Reflection in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaraamuyu
Guaranipy'amongeta

Reflection in International Languages

Esperantoreflekto
The root 'reflekt' in 'reflekto' also means 'to think over' and is related to 'reflex' in English.
Latincogitatio
Cogitatio is related to the Latin verb cogitare, "to think intently" or "to consider carefully".

Reflection in Others Languages

Greekαντανάκλαση
αντανάκλαση derives from the prefix αντί- (anti-) meaning "against" and ανάκλαση (anaklasi) meaning "bending" or "refraction".
Hmongkev xav ntawm
Kurdishbiriqanî
The word "biriqanî" also means "lightning" in Kurdish.
Turkishyansıma
The word "yansıma" also means "recoil" or "ripple" in Turkish.
Xhosaimbonakalo
The word "imbonakalo" in Xhosa comes from the verb "ukubona", which means "to see", and the noun "ikalo", which means "mirror".
Yiddishאָפּשפּיגלונג
The Yiddish word "אָפּשפּיגלונג" (reflection) is a compound consisting of the prefix "אָפּ" (off, back) and the root "שפיגל" (mirror).
Zuluukucabanga
Ukucabanga is a homophone of 'to think' and also means 'meditation' in Zulu.
Assameseপ্ৰতিফলন
Aymaraamuyu
Bhojpuriप्रतिबिंब
Dhivehiރިފްލެކްޝަން
Dogriछौरा
Filipino (Tagalog)pagmuni-muni
Guaranipy'amongeta
Ilocanoaninaw
Kriotan lɛk
Kurdish (Sorani)ڕەنگدانەوە
Maithiliप्रतिबिंब
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯝꯃꯤ ꯇꯥꯕ
Mizoen khalh
Oromocalaqqisa
Odia (Oriya)ପ୍ରତିଫଳନ
Quechuahamutay
Sanskritपरावर्तन
Tatarуйлану
Tigrinyaምስትንታን
Tsongatilangutisa

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