‘后视镜’ literally means ‘rear-view mirror’: 后 (hòu) means ‘behind’ or ‘rear’, 视 (shì) means ‘to see’ or ‘vision’, and 镜 (jìng) means ‘mirror’. Together, the term refers to the mirror mounted inside a vehicle—typically on the windshield—that allows the driver to see what is behind without turning around. It’s an essential safety device in cars, buses, and motorcycles.

This word is used exclusively in transportation contexts and is not applied to mirrors in other settings (e.g., bathroom or dressing mirrors). While ‘后视镜’ is standard in both spoken and written Chinese, it’s rarely used metaphorically. You’ll often hear it in driving instructions, vehicle manuals, or traffic safety discussions. Unlike English, where ‘rearview’ is one word, Chinese keeps the three characters distinct but inseparable as a compound noun.