1.
projection (of light, images)
The act of casting light, an image, or a shadow onto a surface. Used for projecting images onto screens as well as for the mathematical/geometric concept of projection.
スクリーンに映像を投影する。
Project an image onto the screen.
壁に影が投影された。
A shadow was projected onto the wall.
プラネタリウムでは、ドーム型のスクリーンに星空を投影する。
In a planetarium, a starry sky is projected onto a dome-shaped screen.
2.
projection, reflection (figurative)
The manifestation or reflection of inner feelings, thoughts, or circumstances in something external. Often used in psychology for the unconscious transfer of one's own feelings onto others.
この作品には作者の心が投影されている。
The author's feelings are reflected in this work.
自分の不安を他人に投影してしまう。
I end up projecting my own anxieties onto others.
キャラクターに自分を投影して物語を楽しむ人は多い。
Many people enjoy stories by projecting themselves onto the characters.
USAGE:
Used as both a noun and a suru verb. Sense 1 is concrete (projecting images/light), while sense 2 is figurative (projecting emotions or aspects of oneself). The figurative sense is very common in literary criticism, psychology, and everyday discussion of fiction.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 映像を投影する: to project an image
- 自分を投影する: to project oneself (onto something)
- 心理投影: psychological projection
- 投影図: projection drawing (technical/mathematical)