投射

• Pinyin: tóu shè
• Hanzi breakdown: 投 = 扌(hand) + 殳 — to throw; 射 = 身 + 寸 — to shoot, emit

Meaning

To project; to cast; projection; to throw onto.

Physical meaning is to cast light, shadow, or images onto a surface. Psychological meaning refers to projecting one's own feelings or traits onto others or situations. Both uses are common.

Examples

1. 阳光透过树叶投射在地上，形成斑驳的光影。 Sunlight filtered through the leaves and cast dappled shadows on the ground.
2. 你对他的厌恶可能只是自我投射，把自己不喜欢的特质投射到别人身上。 Your dislike of him might just be self-projection — projecting traits you don't like about yourself onto others.
3. 会议室的投影仪把画面投射到了幕布上。 The projector in the conference room cast the image onto the screen.

Usage Guide

Context: physics, psychology, technology

Tone: technical

Do Say

• 心理投射。(Psychological projection.)
• 投射灯光。(To project light.)

Don't Say

• 把普通照射叫'投射' (投射 implies intentional or directional casting — general illumination is just 照射)

Origin & History

投 means to throw, 射 means to shoot/emit — to throw/emit onto something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal