noun HSK 4
shadow · reflection · image · trace
Meaning
影 refers to a shadow cast by an object blocking light, a reflection in water or a mirror, or more abstractly, an image or trace of something. It appears in many compound words related to visual images, photography, and film.
Usage
影 rarely appears alone in modern Mandarin; it's almost always part of compound words like 电影 (movie), 影响 (influence), 摄影 (photography), or 身影 (silhouette). When used alone poetically, it evokes traditional literary usage referring to shadows or reflections.
Examples
- 01树的影子投在墙上。.The tree's shadow is cast on the wall.
- 02湖面上有山的倒影。.There is a reflection of the mountains on the lake surface.
Measure words
- 个一个影子
- 道一道黑影
Common collocations
- 身影figure, silhouette
- 倒影reflection (in water/mirror)
- 黑影dark shadow, dark figure
- 合影group photo
Antonyms
Origin
The character 影 combines 景 (scenery, light) and 彡 (decorative strokes suggesting lines or rays). It originally depicted the visual effect created when light is blocked or reflected.