reflektera

Reflektera is a Swedish verb meaning to reflect. It is used in two broad senses: to think about something carefully, i.e., to reflect on or contemplate; and to mirror or bounce back light, sound, or an image, as in physics and optics. The term is common in education, journalism, and science, where both senses occur.

Conjugation and forms include: infinitive reflektera; present reflekterar; past reflekterade; supine reflekterat; present participle reflekterande; past participle reflekterad or reflekterat. The imperative is reflektera. The verb is regular and follows standard Swedish inflection patterns, with the perfect tense formed with har reflekterat.

Etymology: The verb is a loanword in Swedish, deriving from Latin roots for turning back or bending back and spreading into Swedish via German and other European languages, parallel to English reflect and German reflektieren.

Usage notes: In everyday language, reflektera often means to think about something and to form a considered judgement, as in “att reflektera över sina erfarenheter” (to reflect on one’s experiences). In scientific or technical contexts, it describes the physical return of light or other waves, as in “ljuset reflekteras i en spegel” (the light is reflected by a mirror). The related noun reflektion refers to the act or result of reflection, whether cognitive or optical.