rearview mirror
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rearview mirror
A mirror in a vehicle that allows the driver to see the traffic and surroundings behind them.
Vor dem Überholen warf er einen schnellen Blick in den Rückspiegel.
Before overtaking, he cast a quick glance in the rearview mirror.
The word is made up of 'Rück-' (a short form of 'zurück', meaning back) and 'Spiegel' (mirror). So it is literally a mirror for looking backward.
Ein kurzer Blick in den Rückspiegel bestätigte, dass kein Auto hinter ihm war.
A quick glance in the rearview mirror confirmed that there was no car behind him.
The most common construction is 'in den Rückspiegel schauen' (to look in the rearview mirror) or 'in den Rückspiegel blicken' (to look/glance in the rearview mirror). Here, the preposition 'in' is used with the accusative.
Man sollte regelmäßig in den Rückspiegel schauen, um den Verkehr im Auge zu behalten.
You should regularly look in the rearview mirror to keep an eye on the traffic.
'Rückspiegel' (rearview mirror) is also used metaphorically to look back at the past. The phrase 'im Rückspiegel der Geschichte' (in the rearview mirror of history) means viewing an event from a later perspective.
Im Rückspiegel betrachtet, war seine Entscheidung damals richtig.
Looking back, his decision at the time was right.
side mirror
'Rückspiegel' and 'Außenspiegel' are both mirrors on or in a vehicle that let you see behind you. The 'Rückspiegel' is usually the mirror inside the car, at the top of the windshield. It mainly shows the area behind the vehicle. The 'Außenspiegel' is on the outside, on the left or right of the car, and shows traffic behind and beside the vehicle. Learners confuse the words because both are important for looking behind you while driving. If the mirror is inside, you say 'Rückspiegel'. If it is outside on the door, you say 'Außenspiegel'.
Vor dem Abbiegen schaut Mehmet kurz in den Rückspiegel.
Before turning, Mehmet briefly looks in the rearview mirror.
Am Montag wurde unser rechter Außenspiegel auf dem Parkplatz beschädigt.
On Monday, our right side mirror was damaged in the parking lot.