reflejar

re-fleh-HAR/refleˈxaɾ/

“reflejar” means “to reflect” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to reflect🔊A2Verb

light, images, or sound bouncing off a surface

Learn more →

to reflect🔊B2Verb

to show or demonstrate a quality, feeling, or fact

Learn more →

to reflect

Also: to shine back

VerbA2regular ar

A bright sun shining over a calm blue mountain lake, with the mountains perfectly visible on the water's surface.

gerundreflejando

past Participlereflejado

infinitivereflejar

📝 In Action

El espejo refleja la luz del sol.

The mirror reflects the sunlight.

Las montañas se reflejan en el agua del lago.

The mountains are reflected in the lake water.

Si limpias el metal, volverá a reflejar tu imagen.

If you clean the metal, it will reflect your image again.

Word Connections

Synonyms

proyectar (to project)

Antonyms

absorber (to absorb)

Common Collocations

reflejar la luz – to reflect light
reflejarse en el espejo – to be reflected in the mirror

to reflect

Also: to manifest

VerbB2regular ar

A child with a wide, happy smile, showing joy on their face.

gerundreflejando

past Participlereflejado

infinitivereflejar

📝 In Action

Sus palabras reflejan una gran sabiduría.

Her words reflect great wisdom.

El informe no refleja la realidad de la situación.

The report does not reflect the reality of the situation.

La caída de las ventas refleja la crisis económica.

The drop in sales reflects the economic crisis.

Word Connections

Synonyms

mostrar (to show)
manifestar (to manifest/express)

Antonyms

ocultar (to hide)

Common Collocations

reflejar fielmente – to reflect accurately
reflejar un cambio – to reflect a change

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesreflejaran

yoreflejara

túreflejaras

vosotrosreflejarais

nosotrosreflejáramos

él/ella/ustedreflejara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesreflejen

yorefleje

túreflejes

vosotrosreflejéis

nosotrosreflejemos

él/ella/ustedrefleje

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesreflejaron

yoreflejé

túreflejaste

vosotrosreflejasteis

nosotrosreflejamos

él/ella/ustedreflejó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesreflejaban

yoreflejaba

túreflejabas

vosotrosreflejabais

nosotrosreflejábamos

él/ella/ustedreflejaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesreflejan

yoreflejo

túreflejas

vosotrosreflejáis

nosotrosreflejamos

él/ella/ustedrefleja

View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "reflejar" in Spanish:

to manifest→to reflect→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: reflejar

Question 1 of 3

If you look at a lake and see the trees in the water, the trees are:

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

reflejo(reflection) — Noun

reflexivo(reflective) — Adjective

irreflexivo(thoughtless) — Adjective

🎵 Rhymes▼

dibujar viajar bajar

📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'reflectere', which combines 're-' (back) and 'flectere' (to bend). Literally, it meant 'to bend back'.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: reflectFrench: refléter

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'reflejar' and 'reflexionar'?

'Reflejar' is used when a surface shows an image or when data shows a trend. 'Reflexionar' means to think deeply or meditate on a topic.

Is 'reflejar' a regular verb?

Yes! It follows the standard rules for all verbs ending in -ar in all tenses.

Can I use 'reflejar' for feelings?

Absolutely. You can say 'Su cara refleja felicidad' (His face reflects/shows happiness).