Meaning of 背后
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- behind
- at the back
- in the rear
- behind sb's back
How to use 背后
背后 can mean a physical position behind something, or something done secretly, behind someone's back. It is often used as 在……背后 or in 背后说 (talk behind someone's back). Example: 不要在背后说别人。(Bú yào zài bèihòu shuō biérén.) Don't talk about people behind their backs.
背 (bèi) means the back of your body, and 后 (hòu) means behind. Put them together and you get the space at your back, the place you cannot see.
Common mistake: Learners often read 背 as bēi, which is the first-tone verb meaning to carry on your back. In 背后 it is fourth tone, bèi.
背后 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
背 bèi · the back of a body or object · 9 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
后 hòu · back · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Related words
Words that share a character with 背后.
| 最后 | zuìhòu | final; last; ultimate; finally; in the end |
| 后天 | hòutiān | the day after tomorrow; life after birth (the period in which one develops through experie |
| 后边 | hòubian | the back; the rear; the last bit; behind; near the end; at the back |
| 然后 | ránhòu | then; after that; afterwards |
| 以后 | yǐhòu | after; later |
| 后来 | hòulái | afterwards; later; newly arrived |
| 今后 | jīnhòu | hereafter; henceforth |
| 后面 | hòumiàn | the back; the rear; the last bit; behind; near the end; at the back |
| 后果 | hòuguǒ | consequences; aftermath |
| 落后 | luòhòu | to fall behind; to lag (in technology etc) |
| 前后 | qiánhòu | around; from beginning to end |
| 后年 | hòunián | the year after next |
Questions about 背后
What does 背后 mean?
背后 (bèihòu) means "behind; at the back" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 背后?
背后 is made of 2 characters: 背 (9 strokes), 后 (6 strokes). That is 15 strokes in total.
Is 背后 an HSK word?
Yes. 背后 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 背后 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 背后 is written 背後.
What is the difference between 背后 and 后边?
后边 (hòubian) is a neutral word for the back or rear of something. 背后 can also mean physical position, but it often suggests something hidden or secret, like a reason or an action done without someone knowing.
Can 背后 be used for abstract meanings?
Yes. It often describes what lies beneath the surface. For example, 成功背后 (chénggōng bèihòu) means the story or effort behind success.