虚像(きょぞう)

きょぞう
noun
virtual image; false image
1. virtual image (optics)
In optics, an image formed where light rays appear to diverge from but do not actually pass through. The image seen in a flat mirror is a virtual image.
鏡(かがみ)に映(うつ)るのは虚像(きょぞう)だ。
What is reflected in a mirror is a virtual image.
凸(とつ)レンズでは実像(じつぞう)と虚像(きょぞう)の両方(りょうほう)ができる。
With a convex lens, both real and virtual images can be formed.
理科(りか)の授業(じゅぎょう)で虚像(きょぞう)と実像(じつぞう)の違(ちが)いを学(まな)んだ。
I learned the difference between virtual and real images in science class.
2. false image; fabricated persona
A false or idealized image of a person or thing that does not reflect reality. Often used to describe a public persona or reputation that differs from who someone truly is.
メディアが作(つく)り上(あ)げた虚像(きょぞう)にすぎない。
It is nothing more than a false image created by the media.
彼(かれ)の成功者(せいこうしゃ)としての虚像(きょぞう)が崩(くず)れた。
His fabricated image as a successful person crumbled.
虚像(きょぞう)と実像(じつぞう)の差(さ)が大(おお)きい政治家(せいじか)は、やがて信頼(しんらい)を失(うしな)う。
Politicians with a large gap between their public image and their true selves eventually lose trust.

Usage

A compound of 虚(きょ) (empty, false) + 像(ぞう) (image). Has both a scientific meaning in optics and a figurative meaning referring to a false persona. In both senses, it contrasts with 実像(じつぞう) (real image / true picture).

Common collocations

Similar words

Related Words

Antonym: 実像(じつぞう) (real image)
Compare: 幻影(げんえい) (illusion, phantom)
general
Added 2026.3.19 12:59 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
17500/17791_kyozou