How to Write 映 (yìng) — Meaning “To reflect or shine”

Picture the sun (日) in the center (央) of a calm lake, creating a bright reflection on the water. This image connects the two parts and reminds you that 映 means 'to reflect.' Keep in mind that the sun is at the middle, not at the edge.

First write the left radical 日 (4 strokes: vertical, horizontal, horizontal, vertical), then the right part 央 (5 strokes: vertical, horizontal, horizontal, left-falling, right-falling). A common mistake is making the left 日 too wide; it should be narrow, while the right 央 is slightly wider. Also ensure the vertical stroke of 央 goes straight down through the center.

映 has the component 央 (center) on the right, while 旰 has 干 (dry/shield) and 旱 has 日 above 干. Visually, 映 looks balanced with a sun on the left, whereas 旰 and 旱 are different in shape. Their meanings are also distinct: 映 is about reflection, 旰 means 'late in the day' (rare), and 旱 means 'drought' (no rain).

映 appears in common words like 反映 (to reflect or to report), 放映 (to show a movie), and 倒映 (to reflect in water). Culturally, it appears in the famous line from a poem by Yang Wanli: '映日荷花别样红' (lotus flowers reflecting the sun are especially red). It is also used in film and photography contexts, emphasizing the idea of light projection.

Common words containing 映 include: 反映 (fǎn yìng) — To reflect; to report; 放映 (fàng yìng) — to project; to show (a movie); 倒映 (dào yìng) — To reflect (in water)..