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For Life
2003.12.11

Hello! I've heard people call today's WordMaster the “vanity mirror” because some drivers use it more often to check their hair and makeup than the traffic!

Today's LessonCATEGORY: Japanese English
REAR-VIEW MIRROR   バックミラー

Explanation

  • The rear-view mirror  is the mirror inside a car that is used to see traffic, etc. behind the car.

    Be careful:
    “Back mirror” is Japanese-English and is NOT used to mean rear-view mirror.
  • rear-view mirror  は、車中に取り付けられた後方の様子を見るための鏡です。 注意:
    Back mirrorは、和製英語です。rear-view mirror  の意味にはなりません。

examples

  1. When I saw the flashing red lights in the rear-view mirror, I thought it was me the police were going to stop.
  2. (a driving instructor)
    You should never rely on the rear-view mirror  when backing up. Always turn around and look behind you.
  3. We had piled so many boxes in the back seat that I couldn't see anything with the rear-view mirror.

Keep looking ahead!