Chinese word

后备

Pronunciation

Pinyinhòu bèi

Meaning

  • nounbackup

Example

请把这些当作后备。qǐng bǎ zhè xiē dàng zuò hòu bèi

Please treat these as backups.

Illustration for 后备 (backup)

More examples

遇到紧急情况，后备力量会被迅速动员。yù dào jǐn jí qíng kuàng hòu bèi lì liàng huì bèi xùn sù dòng yuán

In an emergency, the reserve forces will be mobilized quickly.

Core concept

A ready supply kept out of immediate use so it can strengthen or replace what is currently in service.

Common phrases

  • 后备力量hòu bèi lì liàng

    reserve forces

  • 后备人才hòu bèi rén cái

    reserve talent

  • 后备军hòu bèi jūn

    reserve army

Similar words

备用bèi yòng: A spare item or tool kept in advance for use when the usual one cannot be used.
储备chǔ bèi: A stored supply of goods or resources kept for future demand or emergencies.
备份bèi fèn: A saved copy of important data or files kept in case the original is lost or damaged.

Definition in Chinese

不在第一线使用而留作备用的人、物或力量，在需要时启用以补充或替代。bú zài dì yí xiàn shǐ yòng ér liú zuò bèi yòng de rén wù huò lì liàng zài xū yào shí qǐ yòng yǐ bǔ chōng huò tì dài

Word origin

后 (hòu, "behind") + 备 (bèi, "prepare") forms a picture of something positioned behind the active line and kept ready for later use.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, this noun often applies to staff, teams, equipment, and other organized resources, making it useful in conversations about staffing and contingency planning.

Other meanings

  • reservenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 后备役hòu bèi yìreserve dutynoun
  • 后备干部hòu bèi gàn bùreserve cadrenoun
  • 后备力量hòu bèi lì liàngreserve forcesnoun

Word lists with this word