riflessione

reflection

noun ree-fles-SYOH-neh Less Common

Also means

thought

Usage Note

Riflessione can mean the physical reflection of light (la riflessione della luce) and, more commonly, a period of thought or a considered remark (dopo lunga riflessione = after long reflection). It is the noun from riflettere, which doubles as both 'to reflect (light)' and 'to think over'. Do not confuse with rifrazione (refraction) in optics.

Examples

"Dopo lunga riflessione, ha preso la sua decisione."

Natural Translation

After long reflection, he made his decision.

Free starter pack

Building your Italian vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Italian words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Italian Restaurant Etiquette: Mistakes to Avoid

Skip the cappuccino after dinner, never put parmesan on fish, and learn the exact Italian phrases to order gracefully and avoid looking like a tourist.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

You're Welcome in Italian: 8 Ways Beyond Prego

You're welcome in Italian is more than prego: say figurati to friends, si figuri to strangers, di niente, non c'è di che, or grazie a te. Pick the right one.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

C'è vs Ci Sono: There Is/Are in Italian

C'è for one thing, ci sono for many — that's the rule. Master Italian's there is/there are with c'era, ci sarà, è vs c'è, and non c'è nessuno.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Avere Fame: Why Italians "Have" Hunger, Not "Are"

In Italian you say Ho fame (I have hunger), never sono fame. Learn the avere + noun rule for fame, freddo, paura, age, and the sono caldo trap to avoid.

June 5, 2026 5 min read