Skip to content
JapanLingo

reflect / project

N4
Onyomi
Kunyomi
Stroke count
9
JLPT
N4

Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.

Memory tip

A flat illustration of a sun mirrored on the surface of still water, with the kanji 映 ("reflect") drawn into the picture.

Break 映 down and you get 日 (sun / day) — the sun framed by four strokes, marking one day, and beside it 央 (centre / middle) — a figure with a bar balanced straight across its shoulders, centred evenly on both sides. Picture a sun mirrored on the surface of still water, put 映 inside it, and let that scene stand for "reflect" — reflect / project. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

Stroke Order

Stroke count: 9

General writing tips

These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.

  • •Write from top to bottom.
  • •Write from left to right.
  • •Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
  • •Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
  • •In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
  • •This kanji has 9 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.

Step by step

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Practice Writing

Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.

Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.

Writing Tips

  • Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
  • Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
  • Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
  • Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.

Example words

eiga

movie

han'ei

reflection (of opinions)

haete

shine — te-form

haeru

to shine

han'eishita

plain past: did reflection (of opinions)

han'eisuru

to do reflection (of opinions)

Example sentences (3)

shuumatsu ni nihon no eiga o mimashita.

I watched a Japanese movie on the weekend.

kono eiga wa sanjikan gurai desu.

This movie is about three hours long.

eiga ga kanashikute, saigo made naite shimaimashita.

The movie was sad, and I ended up crying right to the end.