reflect
gb/ɹɪflˈɛkt/ us/ɹɪflˈɛkt/
B1
English
~ 1000
visszaver, tükröz, elgondolkodik, átgondol, jó/rossz fényt vet
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[surface] reflects [light/sound/image]
The calm lake reflected the mountains perfectly.
A nyugodt tó tökéletesen tükrözte a hegyeket.
Polished metal reflects more light than rough metal.
A polírozott fém több fényt ver vissza, mint az érdes fém.
The glass reflected the sunlight into the room.
Her sunglasses reflected the glare from the snow.
Learner examples
The mirror reflects my face.
A tükör visszatükrözi az arcomat.
Water reflects the sky.
A víz visszatükrözi az eget.
The wall reflects the sound.
This glass reflects the sun.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'reflect' with 'refract', which means to bend light as it passes through something.
Meaning
Send back light or image
Collocations
reflect light
|reflect sound
|reflect heat
|reflect an image
Synonyms
mirror (Emphasizes showing a clear image like a mirror.)
Antonyms
absorb (Means to take in energy or light instead of sending it back.)
Themes
science
|daily life
|nature
Definition
To send light, heat, sound, or an image back from a surface.
To throw back light, heat, sound, or an image from a surface without absorbing it.
VERB
B2
2
átgondol
B1
Usage pattern:
reflect on [something]
She took some time to reflect on her career choices.
Szakított egy kis időt arra, hogy elgondolkodjon a karrierjével kapcsolatos döntésein.
After the meeting, he reflected on what had been said.
A megbeszélés után elgondolkodott azon, ami elhangzott.
The teacher encouraged students to reflect on their learning.
Learner examples
I need time to reflect on my plan.
Időre van szükségem, hogy átgondoljam a tervemet.
He reflected on his mistake.
Elgondolkodott a hibáján.
We reflect on our past work.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'reflect on' with 'reflex', which is unrelated.
Meaning
Think carefully about something
Collocations
reflect on experience
|reflect deeply
|reflect thoughtfully
Synonyms
ponder (More formal and literary in tone.)
Antonyms
ignore (To not think about or consider something.)
Themes
emotions
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To think carefully about something.
To think deeply or carefully about something, often over a period of time.
VERB
B2
FORMAL
3
tükröz
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] reflects [quality/attitude/situation]
His actions reflect his commitment to the project.
A tettei a projekt iránti elkötelezettségét tükrözik.
The report reflects the company's financial health.
A jelentés tükrözi a vállalat pénzügyi helyzetét.
Her tone reflects her frustration.
Learner examples
This plan reflects our goals.
Ez a terv a céljainkat tükrözi.
His face reflects his feelings.
Az arca az érzéseit tükrözi.
The report reflects the facts.
Meaning
Show or represent something
Collocations
reflect values
|reflect reality
|reflect culture
Synonyms
indicate (More neutral and factual in tone.)
Antonyms
conceal (To hide or keep something from being seen or known.)
Themes
business
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To show a quality, attitude, or situation.
To show, express, or be a sign of a particular quality, attitude, or situation.
VERB
B2
4
Usage pattern:
[something] reflects well/badly on [someone/something]
Your professionalism reflects well on the whole team.
A szakmai hozzáállásod jó fényt vet az egész csapatra.
Such behavior reflects badly on the organization.
Az ilyen viselkedés rossz fényt vet a szervezetre.
Good customer service reflects positively on the brand.
Learner examples
This work reflects well on you.
Ez a munka jó fényt vet rád.
His actions reflect badly on his team.
A tettei rossz fényt vetnek a csapatára.
Good results reflect well on the school.
Meaning
Affect reputation or perception
Collocations
reflect well on
|reflect badly on
Synonyms
represent (Focuses on standing for someone/something, not always about reputation.)
Antonyms
damage (Directly harms someone's reputation.)
Themes
social
|communication
|relationships
Definition
To make people think about someone or something in a certain way.
To influence how someone or something is thought of, often in terms of reputation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reflect
IPA
GB/ɹɪflˈɛkt/
US/ɹɪflˈɛkt/
Syllables & stress
re - flect (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (flect)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: reflect
- 3rd Person Singular: reflects
- Present Participle: reflecting
- Past: reflected
Word family
Forms
reflects
verb
reflecting
verb
reflected
verb
Core family
reflection
noun A2
reflective
adjective B2
Related words
reflector
noun
reflectively
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unreflective
adjective
Expressions
reflect badly on
1/ɹɪflˈɛkt bˈædli ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
Cause bad opinion of someone/something
To make people think negatively about someone or something.
Examples
- Rude behavior reflects badly on the whole team.
- The scandal reflects badly on the government.
reflect on
1/ɹɪflˈɛkt ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
Think carefully about something
To think carefully about something before making a decision or forming an opinion.
Examples
- You should reflect on your mistakes before moving forward.
- He took a moment to reflect on what she had said.
reflect well on
1/ɹɪflˈɛkt wˈɛl ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
Cause good opinion of someone/something
To make people think positively about someone or something.
Examples
- Her dedication reflects well on the company.
- Helping others always reflects well on you.