die  Reflexion

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁeflɛkˈt͡si̯oːn/

🤔 What does "die Reflexion" mean?

The German word die Reflexion primarily has two meanings:

• Contemplation, thought, reflection: This refers to the mental process of thinking deeply about something, analyzing thoughts, feelings, or experiences. It's a form of self-examination or critical thinking.
  Example: Nach dem Gespräch brauchte sie Zeit zur Reflexion. (After the conversation, she needed time for reflection.)
• Physical reflection: This describes the bouncing back of waves (like light, sound, or heat) from a surface.
  Example: Die Reflexion des Lichts im Wasser erzeugte schöne Muster. (The reflection of the light in the water created beautiful patterns.)

⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning. Both meanings use the article die.

🧐 Grammar of "die Reflexion" in Detail

"Reflexion" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.

Example Sentences

1. (Contemplation) Seine Reflexionen über das Leben waren tiefgründig.
   (His reflections on life were profound.)
2. (Contemplation) Mangelnde Reflexion führte zu voreiligen Schlüssen.
   (Lack of reflection led to hasty conclusions.)
3. (Physics) Wir untersuchten die Reflexion von Schallwellen an der Wand.
   (We investigated the reflection of sound waves on the wall.)
4. (Physics) Die Reflexion der Sonne auf dem See blendete ihn.
   (The reflection of the sun on the lake dazzled him.)

💡 How "die Reflexion" is used

• In philosophical/psychological contexts: Here, die Reflexion refers to contemplation, self-examination, meditating on experiences or ideas. It's often used in connection with personal development, learning, or critical thinking. Typical collocations: zur Reflexion anregen (to encourage reflection), Zeit zur Reflexion (time for reflection), kritische Reflexion (critical reflection), Selbstreflexion (self-reflection).
• In physical/technical contexts: Here, die Reflexion describes the physical phenomenon of waves bouncing back. You talk about the Reflexion von Licht (reflection of light), Schall (sound), Wärme (heat), etc. Typical collocations: Reflexion von Licht (reflection of light), diffuse Reflexion (diffuse reflection), Reflexion an einer Oberfläche (reflection on a surface), Schallreflexion (sound reflection).

The related verb is reflektieren, which also has both meanings (to reflect/contemplate; to reflect/bounce back).

🧠 Mnemonics for Reflexion

For the article "die": Nouns ending in -ion are almost always feminine in German: die Aktion (action), die Situation (situation), die Diskussion (discussion)... and also die Reflexion!

For the meanings: Think of a mirror (Spiegel): it reflects your image (physical Reflexion). When you look in the mirror and think about yourself, that's also a form of Reflexion (contemplation).

↔️ Antonyms and Synonyms for die Reflexion

Similar words:

• Reflex (der): An involuntary bodily reaction. Don't confuse it with Reflexion!

😂 A Little Joke

Warum brachte der Philosoph einen Spiegel zur Vorlesung mit?
Um Zeit für Reflexion zu haben! 😄

(Why did the philosopher bring a mirror to the lecture?
To have time for reflection!)

📜 Poem about Reflexion

Das Licht tanzt auf dem stillen See,
eine klare Reflexion, wunderschön anzuseh'n.
Doch auch im Geist, ganz leis und sacht,
findet die Reflexion oft über Nacht.
Ein Gedanke kehrt zurück, wird neu bedacht,
die Tiefe einer Idee wird klar gemacht.

(The light dances on the silent lake,
a clear reflection, beautiful to see.
But also in the mind, quietly and gently,
reflection often occurs overnight.
A thought returns, is reconsidered,
the depth of an idea is made clear.)

🧩 Riddle

Ich kann ein Bild im Wasser sein,
oder tiefes Grübeln, ganz allein.
Physik kennt mich als Wellenwurf,
Im Denken bin ich mancher Schlurf.

Was bin ich?

(I can be an image in the water,
or deep contemplation, all alone.
Physics knows me as the throwing of waves,
In thinking, I am sometimes a slouch/deep dive.

What am I?)
Solution: Die Reflexion (Reflection)

🌐 Other Information

Etymology: The word "Reflexion" comes from the Latin reflexio, meaning "bending back" or "throwing back" (from reflectere = to bend back).

Compound words: There are many compound words, e.g.:

• Selbstreflexion (self-reflection)
• Reflexionsvermögen (capacity for reflection)
• Reflexionsgrad (degree of reflection, reflectance - in physics)